Matthijs De Ligt Says Manchester United Players Back Ruben Amorim: 'Bad To Say That It's The Manager's Fault Or...'

Last Updated:August 31, 2025, 17:32 IST

Matthijs de Ligt backs Ruben Amorim after Manchester United's shaky win over Burnley and Grimsby defeat, stressing player responsibility ahead of key clashes.

Manchester United's players and manager Ruben Amorim (AP)

Matthijs de Ligt insists Manchester United’s players support embattled manager Ruben Amorim and take responsibility for the club’s disastrous start to the season.

Amorim’s team required a last-minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes to secure a 3-2 victory over promoted Burnley on Saturday, having twice surrendered the lead at Old Trafford.

United’s first Premier League win in three games this season came just days after a humiliating League Cup second round loss to fourth-tier Grimsby.

Following the shocking cup defeat, Amorim admitted that he sometimes contemplates quitting United and often feels frustrated with his players.

Despite ongoing speculation about Amorim’s future, even after the crucial win over Burnley, United defender De Ligt expressed his support for his manager.

“I think the only thing that counted was a win," he said. “Everybody saw how. We know we could have done that better, but the win was the most important thing."

When asked if he wanted Amorim to stay, De Ligt replied, “Yeah, of course. I mean, as a player you are responsible for the results.

“They always speak about the manager, obviously, but I think as players we also looked at each other in the eye after Grimsby and said to each other ‘guys, the performance of this week is not acceptable’.

“It will be really, I think, bad to say that it’s the manager’s fault or… it’s mostly us, and we know that.

“So, yeah, obviously we still stand behind him, and he stands behind us, so we keep going like that. I think the result for today makes that feeling even more."

How Man Utd Players Reacted To Grimsby Defeat?

De Ligt sported a black eye from Wednesday’s clash with Grimsby, which ended in a penalty shoot-out loss after United came back from two goals down in regular time.

De Ligt mentioned that the team had not extensively discussed the embarrassing result because it was too painful. “I don’t think there’s much been said because everybody knows how the feeling was," he said.

“I think everybody from outside could also understand what the feeling is if you lose a game like that.

“So, yeah, it’s not easy. We know that. We were really disappointed, in ourselves especially, so then to win today was I think the only cure that could a little bit help the defeat of Wednesday."

United hardly looked cohesive against Burnley, with sloppy defending and poor goalkeeping allowing the visitors to equalise twice. However, Fernandes’ latest heroics in a United shirt kept the critics at bay heading into the international break.

Amorim’s job security will be seriously tested when Premier League action resumes for United against rivals Manchester City on September 14, followed by a match against in-form Chelsea six days later.

(With inputs from AFP)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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First Published:

August 31, 2025, 17:32 IST

News sports Matthijs De Ligt Says Manchester United Players Back Ruben Amorim: 'Bad To Say That It's The Manager's Fault Or...'

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