Harry Maguire admits his Manchester United teammates were guilty of “overthinking” during Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge against Ipswich Town.
Amorim’s first game ended in disappointment as United were held to a 1-1 draw against the Tractor Boys.
The Reds were expecting change and got that when Amorim lined up with a 3-4-3 formation, but the performance was as unconvincing as ever.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring after two minutes following a sublime solo run from Amad Diallo down the right flank. It wasn’t enough, as United failed to hold onto their lead and drew the game 1-1.
Although Maguire is giving his view on the game, he wasn’t involved due to injury. He still suggested that the players were too preoccupied with figuring out their positions, which is something Amorim noted in his post-match interview after the game.
“When you come from one style to another style, like the manager said in his interview after, I think people on the pitch are thinking too much where they want to be,” Maguire told Sky Sports.
“At the end of the day, it’s a football match. Go and be better than your opponent and go and win the football match. Within that, play with his principles.
“I think we overthought the game against Ipswich. I think that’s natural because the boys want to play the way the new manager wants. But I think we’ve got to let it adapt with [fluency], rather than forcing it.”
“We overthought the game” 💭
Harry Maguire discusses what went wrong for Manchester United last weekend ⚽pic.twitter.com/2amM2cHraI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 26, 2024
Ruben Amorim wants more fluidity
Speaking to reporters after the match, Amorim said: “It was really hard for [the players to adapt], they were thinking what to do.
“It was not fluid which is normal after just two training sessions but they tried hard. They have so much space to improve. But after a draw you never feel the good things. So I am really happy because they tried but they can do so much better.”
United players thinking too much?
Pull the other one, Harry!
Amorim said it too?
Just joking, but maybe not completely so. Bearing in mind some of the seemingly unthinking play we’ve seen in the last few Seasons. Unmarked Brighton player scoring late winner, for just one example. There’s others, as I’m sure you’re as well aware as the rest of us.