Ruben Amorim has told Manchester United fans that the team will “suffer” before it sees success after his side drew 1-1 at Ipswich in his first game in charge.
It was an ideal start for the Portuguese manager when Marcus Rashford put United 1-0 up inside two minutes.
But their lead at Portman Road evaporated before half-time. Omari Hutchinson’s deflected equaliser brought Ipswich level, and it stayed that way until the end.
Amorim’s side owed thanks to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made two superb stops to prevent United from losing their first game under their new boss.
But with a brand-new system to learn and a huge change in philosophy, the manager has warned things may get harder before they improve.
Ruben Amorim Says United Will ‘Suffer’ As They Learn New System
Although encouraged by his side’s effort, former Sporting CP boss Amorim made it clear that fans should not expect a sudden improvement in results.
He said: “It is hard to expect anything now. It is like not a surprise but you have to see it in the game. That is why I was a little bit anxious, because you cannot understand what will happen in the game. I felt that.
“What I understood today is that they are trying, they are really trying. They stay in the positions, they receive information and they try to use it in the game. That is very important.
“I know it is frustrating for the fans, but we are changing so much in this moment with a lot of games. We are going to suffer for a long period and we will try to win games. This will take time, but I know we have to win games.”
The manager also stressed the limited time his side have had to implement their new tactical shape. Amorim’s teams typically utilise a 3-4-3 formation, something United are not used to.
He added: “We have to understand that and think and be pragmatic that these guys had two days training to change so much.”
Premier League ‘The Best League In The World’ According To Amorim
One takeaway for the new United boss was his satisfaction with the atmosphere at Portman Road.
He said: “The atmosphere, you are lucky guys.
“You have the best, by far, the best league in the world and you see this every weekend, but to tell you the truth, when the game started, it is the same thing since the (Portuguese) third division, I am so focused on the game and I am playing with my players inside the pitch.”
United’s next fixture will be Amorim’s first at Old Trafford, when they host Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
After that, the new manager makes his home Premier League debut in the dugout, with Everton making the short journey to United on Sunday.
