- United have lost five of their last six Premier League games under Amorim
- Liverpool, however, are in fine form and five points clear at the top of the table
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admits his players are heading into their toughest game of the season at Liverpool ‘anxious and afraid’.
Amorim has tried hard to lift the mood at Old Trafford this week after five defeats in six matches have left the club in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
With leaders Liverpool also in irrepressible form, some pessimistic United fans even fear a repeat of the humiliating 7-0 defeat at Anfield two seasons ago.
Describing his team’s lack of belief in recent weeks, a candid Amorim said: ‘They are anxious and sometimes afraid on the pitch.
‘We have to cope with that. We need the leaders to step up and to help the other guys – and I’m the most responsible person here to improve the performances.
‘You can see the players are trying. Sometimes they are too anxious and too afraid to play football because this is a difficult moment.
Ruben Amorim has admitted that his Manchester United players are ‘anxious and afraid’ ahead of their clash with Liverpool
Five defeats in six matches have left United in the bottom half of the Premier League table
Amorim will welcome captain Bruno Fernandes back from suspension for the Anfield clash
‘For two days we have just been doing the basics, focusing on our idea to play football, and doing our thing.
‘The supporters are tired of this moment so it is strange to hear them chanting my name. I’m giving everything to help the club. I know it is hard to understand right now but we are going to succeed.’
Amorim welcomes back skipper Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte who were both suspended fo the 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle on Monday night but Marcus Rashford is almost definitely ruled out because of illness.
The United boss laughed about how two months in the Old Trafford hot seat has aged him already. ‘You can see in my face – you can compare the way I arrive and now!’ he said.
‘Of course there is a lot of pressure. The only thing that can help me is the training with the players and I also have my family here now. They came on the 27th. It was a good day.’