Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has defended his controversial claim that the current squad is the "worst in the club’s history."
The Portuguese insisted that the remarks were intended as self-criticism rather than an attack on his players.
Amorim's comments, made following United's 3-1 defeat to Brighton, drew sharp criticism from pundits and former players.
However, the Portuguese coach clarified his stance in a press conference ahead of the club's Europa League clash against Rangers.
Amorim explains comment
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“I was talking more for myself than for my players because you have a coach that starts a job and loses eight games, so it was more for me,” Amorim explained.
“I also talked in the same response about how I was not helping my players, and if you look at every time I speak, I never put the spotlight on my players.”
The 39-year-old acknowledged the headline-grabbing nature of his comments but stood by his blunt communication style.
“I understand I gave you that headline, and I’m frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I should not say that in those terms. But it is what it is. Sometimes it’s really hard to hide the frustration in some moments,” he admitted.
Amorim also revealed that his frankness extends to conversations with his squad.
“The good thing is that I said the same things in a different way in the dressing room five minutes before, and the response was quite normal because I’m really blunt with my players. I say what I see.”
With United under pressure, Amorim will hope his team can respond to this criticism and turn their season around.