Ruben Amorim has cautioned that Manchester United's recent improvements do not mean the team has reached the required level. The manager insists the squad still has significant work ahead despite an unbeaten run in five league matches. He dismissed suggestions that his 3-4-3 formation is holding the team back.
Manchester United entered the international break on a positive note, unbeaten in five Premier League matches. This streak included a standout victory over Liverpool and draws away at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, which has eased some of the pressure from earlier struggles in the season.
However, speaking to Stan Sport, Amorim emphasized that these results only highlight the distance still to cover. "We are playing better, but we are playing better because we have more confidence, and that starts with good results, for example, against Liverpool," he said. Reflecting on the recent draw at Tottenham, Amorim admitted feeling frustration upon reviewing the game en route back to Carrington. "We are getting better, but I can share my feeling: ... my feeling was frustration, that we are far from perfection. We are far from being that team that can win every game. So I think we have a lot to do."
Amorim reiterated that the team's formation is not the issue. "I've been saying this for many months, that the formation is not the problem," he stated. "The formation is the start of something, then it’s the dynamic, the confidence, the way we play, how competitive we are." He pointed to a lack of intensity in key moments as the real challenge. "If you look at the games we struggled in this season, it was not about the formation for me. It was the lack of intensity. We need to be perfect in this league to win a lot of games."
The Portuguese coach's comments come amid a calmer period at the club, contrasting with last season's 15th-place finish and an early League Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town. Amorim retains support from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which he values for stabilizing the environment. "It’s always really important, but it’s more important for the fans to understand that we have a clear path, and we are going to do everything and continue that path no matter what," he added. Despite the backing, Amorim remains focused, stating he is not concerned about his job security.