Amorim admits players were ‘thinking too much’ in Ipswich draw

New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says his players were thinking too much about tactics during the 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

The Red Devils stormed into the lead after 81 seconds at Portman Road, with Marcus Rashford getting on the scoresheet early on.

But Omari Hutchinson’s equaliser ensured both teams would leave with a point on the former Sporting boss’ debut.

It was not a glamorous performance from Amorim’s men, but the head coach has called for patience.

Speaking after the match, he said: “My players were thinking too much in the game. We had just two days altogether, we need more.

“They leave us one against one and we have to use those moments. It was a tough match, we lost some balls without pressure.

“When you start like this, you have to control the ball. We cannot do it at the moment but they really, really tried. They are really trying and they want this.

💬 “We will improve in the future.”

Post-match reaction from the boss ⤵️#MUFC || #IPSMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 24, 2024

The result leaves the Red Devils in 12th, six points away from the top four.

And Amorim sympathised with his players as he looks to embed his changes following Erik ten Hag’s departure.

He added: “Not a good result but it is a tough league with high intensity. We started very well but should have had more of the ball. But we are learning.

“It was really hard for them, they were thinking what to do, it was not fluid which is normal after to just two training sessions but they tried hard.

“They have so much space to improve. But after a draw you never feel the good things. So I am really happy because they tried but they can do so much better.

“It is a great environment, a great spectacle. But when the game starts it is like I am back in Portugal or the third division.

“I am so focused everything is the same. You guys are so lucky to have the best league in the world. I am really happy to be here but today I don’t feel much because I like to win games.”