RUBEN AMORIM doubts Mikel Arteta would have been given the same time to succeed at Manchester United that he has received at Arsenal.
Arteta won the 2020 FA Cup in his first season in charge but the Spaniard, who celebrates his FIFTH anniversary as Gunners boss this month, has yet to bring in any further trophies to the Emirates.
No United manager has lasted more than three years at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
New Red Devils chief Amorim, who takes United to second-placed Arsenal on Wednesday, said: “It is always important for a coach to have that confidence, but we have to acknowledge that Manchester United is a little bit different.
“All the attention that you guys put in here, all the time. So I know that sometimes it is not possible to have all that time.
“So we will try to manage that and try to do things a little bit faster knowing that here is massive attention and massive judgment every day.”
Amorim is full of praise for the job Arteta has done during his tenure at the Gunners.
Arteta took over in December 2019 but had highs and lows, including losing six out of 11 games to dop out of the Champions League spots to arch-rivals Tottenham.
Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag, says he hopes to have the same presence of mind as Arteta in the tough times at Old Trafford.
He said: “He’s done an amazing job. Sometimes coaches are just judged about the titles, but what he has been doing in Arsenal, I think is amazing. It transformed the team.
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“He bought some youngsters that now are the big talents in this country.
“I hope to have the same mindset that he had in the difficult moments because I followed the Premier League for a long time.
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“It’s a very good characteristic in Mikel, so I think he did a great job.”
United left-back Luke Shaw will not be facing Arsenal after issuing an emotional statement last night revealing a new muscular injury.
The England defender, 29, has had horrid luck with fitness problems since February.
He missed the final three months of last season with a calf issue but played for England in the latter stages of the Euros.
He then suffered a recurrence in pre-season but returned for three appearances under new boss Amorim before his latest setback.
Heartbroken Shaw, who is expected to be out for several weeks, posted on Instagram: “It’s hurting a lot having to write this as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles but unfortunately I’ve had a setback.
“This has definitely been my toughest period. I’m absolutely devastated and it’s extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment.
“I understand there is gunna be people frustrated, angry, disappointed. No one is feeling that more than me.
“But what I can promise is I will do everything I can to come back better soon to help this club achieve its ambitions this season.”
Man Utd ratings vs Everton as Zirkzee answers his critics in style… but one midfielder struggles
RUBEN AMORIM celebrated his first Premier League game at Old Trafford with a stunning 4-0 victory over Everton.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee shook off questions over their recent form with two each at a thrilled Old Trafford – as the Red Devils won a Prem game by four goals or more since the opening day of the 2021-22 season.
Here’s how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils…
ANDRE ONANA – 6
Called into action early and showed growing his growing composure as No 1.
NOUSSAIR MAZROUI – 6
Has rapidly become one of the United faithful’s favourites doing himself no harm again.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Stretched at first by bustling Beto but beginning to look like he’s settling down in a back three.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Once again looking like the master and commander of the United rearguard.
AMAD DIALLO – 8
Went from wasteful to the plundering terror of centre backs Branthwaite and Tarkowski.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 6
Quiet, calm, controlled, no panic, no loss of possession, no problem for the midfielder.
CASEMIRO – 5
Looked like his lack of pace might be a problem again in central midfield but ground it out.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Enjoying life in his new left-side forward role and didn’t really put a foot wrong.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 8
Transformed himself from headless chicken to tripling his whole United tally with two clinical strikes.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 9
Ruben Amorim has gone out of his way to big up the front man and he’s responding in style.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Wasteful for a while but got his head down to have a real influence by the end.
SUBS
LUKE SHAW (Mazraoui 56) – 5
Comfortably easing himself back.
HARRY MAGUIRE (de Ligt 56) – 5
Looked happy to be out there.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (Fernandes 66) – 5
Got bustling off the bench.
MANUEL UGARTE (Casemiro 66) – 5
Will be wanting more minutes than this.
MASON MOUNT (Mainoo 80) – 5
Sharp and up for it.
