By Okafor Joseph Afam
December 13, 2024

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has played down concerns over the on-field argument between Rasmus Højlund and Amad Diallo following the team’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday night in the Europa League.

Højlund, introduced off the bench in the Czech Republic, proved to be the game-changer, scoring twice to overturn a first-half deficit. However, tensions flared after the final whistle, with Højlund and Amad engaging in a heated exchange over missed opportunities to assist each other in the closing stages of the match.

Addressing the incident in his post-match press conference, Amorim described the friction as a “healthy” and “positive” sign of the players’ passion and commitment to the team’s success.

“It’s a positive thing, a healthy thing, perfect. In this moment, we need to feel something. If we need to fight each other, it’s like a family. For me, it’s a very, very good sign,” Amorim remarked.

The Portuguese coach elaborated on how such disagreements often stem from a shared desire to win:

“When you don’t care, you do nothing. When you care, you fight with your brother, with your father, with your mother. It’s a normal thing. So I leave it to the players and captain to calm things down. If it’s too much, I will go inside the dressing room. But it’s their space. They have to talk, to fight — it’s very important.”

Amorim also emphasized how the altercation highlighted the team’s hunger for success:

“I am happy we won the game and still fought each other. That is a very good thing. When you win and fight with your teammate because you want to score one more, it’s a very good day for us.”

Progress in the Europa League

With the victory, Manchester United has secured 12 points from their first six Europa League matches, placing them in seventh position on the table. The result leaves them one point ahead of ninth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and firmly in contention for automatic qualification to the next round.

Amorim praised his team’s resilience during the match, particularly their ability to fight until the final whistle despite not being at their best.

“We didn’t play very well, but we fought and managed not to give up. That was a key point for me. We are in a good place in the table, and it’s really important to remove potential playoff games from our schedule to find time to work.”

The Red Devils will conclude their league phase with crucial fixtures against Rangers and FCSB in January, with the hope of building on their strong position and avoiding the rigors of a playoff round.

Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been marked by a focus on aggressive play and improving possession. While the team has made strides, the coach remains committed to refining their approach as they push for success in Europe and beyond.

As United fans celebrate the victory, the fiery passion on display between Højlund and Amad is a reminder of the intensity and ambition within the squad—a characteristic Amorim believes will serve them well in the challenges ahead.