Manchester United 'more prepared' to handle storms a year on from Ruben Amorim warning

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha interact with Ruben Amorim. Pic: Matt McNulty/Getty Images.

Ruben Amorim feels Manchester United are now “more prepared” to face the kind of storm he warned of after taking charge.

Monday marks a year since the Portuguese oversaw his first match as Red Devils boss, with that 1-1 draw at Ipswich followed by home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton.

But that promising start was followed by Amorim advising “the storm will come” – a prescient forecast for a side that would finish 15th in the Premier League.

The Europa League final loss to Tottenham compounded that lowly finish, but things are now looking up and United head into Monday’s Old Trafford meeting with Everton unbeaten in five matches.

Asked if the storm is now over or whether he fears they could be engulfed in another, boss Amorim said: “I have always that feeling (there could be a setback).

“I think it's also my job, especially in our club, to always have that feeling. That gives me the sense of urgency in every training that I have.

“Then playing every game in Premier League, you can sense that everything can change so fast because all the teams can win any game. If you see the bottom, they have a lot of points.

“I don't like to say the storm is over. But we are more prepared for any storm in this moment, so let's take this sense of urgency to every game.” Benjamin Sesko limping off against Tottenham with a knee injury that will keep the striker out for a further few weeks.

Joshua Zirkzee could be the beneficiary having found playing time restricted this term, leading to speculation over a January loan exit, and homegrown talent Kobbie Mainoo - who requested a loan move in August - is also lacking game time.

“The first thing is that the club comes first,” Amorim said when asked if he would accept requests from them to leave on loan.

“We have to think about the club and the team, and then everything can happen.

“I was a football player, I understand everything, and I want to help my players in every situation, so I don't know what is going to happen.

“I want my players happy. I understand the frustration of some players seeing that the World Cup is there, and I know what it means for the World Cup, but Manchester United comes first.

“If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. If not, I have to think about the team.” Manuel Ugarte flourished under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon but has yet to reach such heights since joining United from Paris St Germain last year.

“You can sense that a lot of very good players come here and sometimes they struggle,” the United boss said.

“He is struggling in the moment, but it’s our job to try to help our players and, again, everything can change. You saw five weeks ago the environment was completely different.

“My job is trying to help him to feel as a player like I felt when he was a Sporting player, for example.

“But it’s a different world and he needs to adapt, and he needs to improve, especially in training.”