Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted his team appeared overly nervous during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Despite dominating possession, United struggled to capitalize on their chances, while Bournemouth exploited United’s set-piece vulnerabilities to secure a decisive victory.
Reflecting on the loss, Amorim acknowledged the anxiety within his squad, a sentiment he felt was mirrored by the fans.
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“This game was tough for us,” Amorim said. “We suffered again from set pieces and were a little nervous—this was evident from the start, not just with the players but also in the atmosphere at the stadium. There’s a lot of anxiety, which is understandable given the context. It’s disappointing, but we have to face it and prepare for the next game.”
United’s ongoing struggles with dead-ball situations were highlighted when Dean Huijsen evaded Joshua Zirkzee to head in the opener. However, Amorim refused to single out set-piece coach Carlos Fernandes for criticism.
“It’s my responsibility to coach the team, not Carlos—it’s all on me,” Amorim emphasized. “Of course, we need to improve. Losing 3-0 at home is tough for everyone, especially at a club like Manchester United. The fans are understandably frustrated and tired, and we feel that too.
“But we know what to do. We need to improve on set pieces, though I think we’ve made progress in other areas. We’re giving the ball away less, controlling the game better, and limiting spaces and transitions. Against a team that scores 60% of their goals in the opposition’s half, we managed that aspect well, but the result is still disappointing.”