Ruben Amorim often mentions the word “endure” in his press conferences. For him, the team does not just “concede goals” but “endure defeats”. Since taking office in November, the Portuguese coach has not hesitated to share that the players need to learn to endure in order to adapt to the complex tactical system he has built.
In the world of football, the concept of “endurance” is not a strange thing. Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid once affirmed that “endurance is necessary” for successful defense.
However, most managers only mention this factor when the season peaks in April or May. Ruben Amorim takes a different approach, believing that if Man United are to regain their top position in England, they need to be ready to endure the harsh winter period.
The thrilling FA Cup win over Arsenal was a testament to the fighting spirit Amorim was trying to instill. Despite playing with 10 men for much of the second half, the Red Devils remained disciplined and resilient to force the game into a penalty shootout.
From Altay Bayindir's superb save from Martin Odegaard's penalty to the relentless displays of defensive players like Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte, it was a determined spirit that saw the team overcome the challenge.
Notably, Matthijs de Ligt has had one of his most impressive performances since moving to Old Trafford. Despite having faced difficulties playing in a back three at Bayern Munich and the national team, the 25-year-old star is showing positive signs in Amorim's system.
De Ligt's decisive save in extra time was his biggest highlight of the match. The Dutch centre-back's impact not only prevented Arsenal from scoring but also demonstrated the will to never give up that Amorim wanted from his players.
De Ligt then appeared to be moving forward to trap the offside flag, but Jorginho's sudden pass gave Havertz the chance to break free. The German midfielder crossed the ball towards Trossard, the ball went past Maguire and Bayindir.
It seemed Arsenal had beaten the Man United defence but De Ligt did not give up. Instead, the 1999-born centre-back redoubled his efforts to win the ball back, not only closing in on Declan Rice at the far post but also closing in on Trossard who was approaching the six-yard box. De Ligt narrowly outpaced the Belgian striker to make a crucial save.
“Some things are not about technique or tactics, but about spirit and competition. We deserved to win even though they had more chances. It was the fighting spirit and the ability to endure that got us through the difficult moments,” Ruben Amorim said.
With the win over Arsenal, Man United have progressed to the next round of the FA Cup, where they will face Leicester City. Before that, the Premier League match against Southampton in midweek will be a test of the consistency of the "Red Devils". Amorim's team will need to show their fighting spirit not only against big opponents like Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal but also against smaller teams.
Ruben Amorim knows that the journey back to the top of Manchester United will not be easy. He is building a team that can not only withstand pressure but also turn difficult moments into opportunities.
Against Arsenal, Amorim brought on academy graduate Toby Collyer in place of Kobbie Mainoo, a decision that showed his willingness to put his faith in a new generation who are willing to run non-stop and contribute to the overall game.
Lisandro Martinez, despite picking up an injury late in extra time, stayed on the pitch and played as a centre forward in the final minutes. The Argentine star even converted his penalty in the shootout, demonstrating the sacrifice and team spirit that Amorim wanted to instill in the dressing room.
