Coach Ruben Amorim grimaced. Manchester United once again could not maintain the advantage, and Amorim's facial expression accidentally reflected all his inner thoughts. Immediately after that, he did not hesitate to say what he thought.
The dramatic 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a confrontation that was difficult to determine the emotions. A result that is both disappointing and difficult to complain about, accurately reflects the nature of the two teams that are still not clear where they are.
But for Amorim, it is different. He knows exactly how he feels.
"We have a lot of problems. I know. People look at the results and think we are improving," said the Portuguese captain.
Those frank and somewhat harsh comments from Amorim resounded at a time when the atmosphere at Man United was already relatively positive. However, it is clear that the Portuguese coach did not say in an explosive state. That is a deliberate reflection, stemming from the systematic concerns he has seen.
In the 2-2 draw with Tottenham - where the "Red Devils" led 1-0 until the 84th minute, then were unexpectedly turned 2-1 in the 90+1 minute before Matthijs de Ligt managed to equalize in the final seconds - Amorim pointed out the core weakness. That is a lack of determination.
"We need to attack more strongly. 3 points are within reach. The space has appeared. But we were too comfortable. The match is ready to end, and we are not taking advantage" - Amorim shared.
The 40-year-old captain is generally right, although Thomas Frank is also reasonable when he affirmed: "On any other day, we will win".
3 late goals not only make viewers feel distorted about the appeal of a very lackluster actual match, but also make them misunderstand the truly turning point.
Of course, the crazy moments at the end of the match directly determined the result. However, it is difficult not to see that the real direction of the match was decided about half an hour before - when the game started to slip out of control and familiar signs of the fragility of both teams appeared.
Man United took a 1-0 lead thanks to the superior attacking power of players like Bryan Mbeumo, while Tottenham generally showed ineffectiveness in their efforts to put pressure. On the contrary, the visitors continuously created dangerous opportunities from quick counter-attacks and they should have been able to decide the match sooner.
Sub substitute Benjamin Sesko broke through Spurs' defense twice, but could not launch a final shot both times. A particularly unfortunate situation, when Micky van de Ven had an excellent block, made a spectacular save for the home team.
In contrast, Senne Lammens made two excellent saves as Tottenham started to increase the pressure in the opposition half. From that moment on, Man United gradually lost control of the game.
Spurs' substitutes brought a new vitality, helping the home team turn the game in a beneficial direction. In contrast, Amorim's change has left the Red Devils more disjointed and out of control.
Although the match brought many mixed emotions between the two teams and was still in the process of being completed, there was a strange clarity in this result. The results and the way they happen are direct consequences of inherent problems that both sides cannot solve. It can even be said that it is inevitable.
