RUBEN AMORIM has had the best week of his Manchester United career – but Arne Slot suffered his WORST display as Liverpool manager.
United made it three Premier League wins on the bounce after beating Brighton 4-2 at Old Trafford to go fourth – two places above the champions.
It comes a week after their 2-1 victory away at Anfield – with former club captain Neville believing Amorim has turned his fortunes around after a dream week.
He said: “The narrative coming into this game was that Manchester United couldn’t take a step back after what happened at Anfield last week and the win today was absolutely crucial.
“I think it has been Ruben Amorim’s best and most important week in the job. I think it gives him a bit of time.
“I am not saying he’s off the hook but Manchester United are up there towards the top of the league and is certainly takes a lot of pressure off him.”
UNITED RATINGS
Red Devils have matchwinners in Mbeumo and Cunha but Dorgu nearly wrecks it
Welcome offer
Get a £50 welcome bonus when you join Sun Vegas and spend £10
Liverpool have now lost FOUR on the Premier League spin – with their 3-2 defeat at Brentford the worst of the lot.
Slot admitted: “I think it is up there, yeah. In my time here. In terms of losing a game.
“Normally when we are 1-0 or 2-0 down, by the way after we went 1-0 down that was the only moment I really liked.
“After 30 minutes they took the game again with long throws and set-pieces and other moments where they were really good. They did many things well.
“It is disappointing again. We hoped if we won a game during the week, of course you hope for a better result.
“I was also hoping and expecting a better performance. This was far from what we are used to.
“Even if we are losing, our performances have been better than tonight. We did not do the basics right.
“If you are 1-0, 2-0 or 3-1 down, the energy in the stadium was helpful for them. They are a good team in winning duels and second balls, you must give them credit.”
Liverpool were again targeted by long balls and Slot added: “Teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play against us.
“And we have not found an answer yet. Going 1-0 down after five minutes does not help. Teams know which strategy to play against us.”
Meanwhile Neville believes Amorim’s men are finally getting behind his 3-4-3 formation.
He said: “A few weeks ago I was a little bit worried that the players didn’t believe in Ruben Amorim’s system.
“That maybe there was an element of not winning matches and starting to question and listening to the noise that all of us – including myself – had added to that.
“But one thing that’s been absolutely not in doubt when you speak to people around the club is that they really like him as a person, and that does count for a lot.
“Because I think there’s no doubt – he’s not lost the dressing room in terms of spirit and energy and how they feel towards him.
“I think they want to play for him, they’re desperate to win and I think you’ve seen that coming together in the last week.
“I mean, winning at Anfield in any season is special, but for Ruben Amorim to win at Anfield when it was so unexpected I think has given them such a big lift.
FREEBIE FINDER
Last minute October half-term ideas – everything you can do for FREE
SPICING UP
How ‘diva’ Geri’s ‘embarrassing’ saga with Christian reignited Spice Girls rift
“We’ll look forward to the game next week against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham away the week after – there’s still a big job to do in the next month.
“But I felt it was a month of reckoning. If it had started badly last week against Liverpool it could have gone a different way but it feels very different, it feels like the momentum is with them a little bit and the spirit is good.”
Read the full article here
