Ruben Amorim: 'MU performs better when not involved in European competitions'

At the press conference ahead of the Tottenham game in the 11th round of the 2025/26 Premier League, Manchester United’s manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged that having just one match per week has contributed to fewer long-term injuries for his team this season.

Manchester United is currently regaining their form in the Premier League with a streak of four unbeaten matches. Although they rank 8th on the table, Manchester United are only 2 points behind the 2nd place held by Manchester City. Securing a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League is entirely achievable for the ‘Red Devils’.

Before the upcoming clash with Tottenham in the 11th round of the 2025/26 Premier League, Manchester United’s coach Ruben Amorim shared notable comments during the pre-match press conference. After the bitter defeat in last season’s Europa League final, the Portuguese strategist believes that setback helped the ‘Red Devils’ mature and also allowed them to have a more spaced-out schedule this season:

“Nothing has changed really. It’s just that we only play one match per week, and maybe we’ve had a bit of luck too, because sometimes players get injured from collisions rather than physical fatigue. I never know what might happen in the next training session. If the intensity is high, anything can occur. But the main reason we are better this season is that we only have to play one game each week. Because of that, I can give players who are at risk of issues an extra day off before the next training. I believe that’s the key reason.”

When asked about the difference between the current Manchester United squad and the team that fell in the 2024/25 Europa League final, Ruben Amorim candidly stated:

“First of all, it’s about the characteristics of the players. We have some different profiles compared to before, but we also have many players who were part of last year’s squad. So, we are a better team, playing better and understanding the game more clearly. I think we are more confident.

When we reached that final, we were very confident we could win because our European form was strong, but now we play with a different kind of confidence. We know how to control moments in the game better. However, if you recall, in that match they had only one shot on target, yet they won. I expect the upcoming match to be different, that we can perform better, and hopefully have a bit more luck to secure the win.”

It is clear that Ruben Amorim does not shy away from the memory of the European defeat; on the contrary, he views it as part of the growth journey. From a young and inexperienced squad lacking composure in critical moments, Amorim’s Manchester United is gradually shaping its own style: more pragmatic, resilient, and tactically deeper.

Ahead of the big match against Tottenham scheduled for 7:30 PM on November 8, 2025, in the 11th round of the 2025/26 Premier League, Manchester United is showing consistent form with a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. However, the challenge posed by the “Spurs” is far from easy. The North London club currently has the same points as Manchester United but ranks two places higher due to a better goal difference.

A victory at Old Trafford would not only allow the ‘Red Devils’ to overtake their direct rivals in the standings but also confirm that the setback in Bilbao was truly a foundation for them to evolve into a stronger and more complete version this 2025/26 season.

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