Amorim praises Man Utd after win at Wolves, warns Bournemouth will be ‘completely different’
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Jean-Ricner Bellegarde equalised for the hosts on the stroke of half-time after Bruno Fernandes had opened the scoring, courtesy of what home manager Rob Edwards described as “kids'” defending.
The Portuguese head coach relayed that the win was “crucial for our life”, a message that appeared to have an effect as Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount all netted in a dominant second half.
“It wasn’t tactical. It was so clear we are dominating the games but not finishing the plays as we should do,” Amorim told BBC Sport.
“We need to be better in the details. (I was) trying to explain to the players we have 45 minutes to win the three points that are crucial for our life.
“It’s important. We had some games against teams in better moments and had many shots. We need to improve the quality of the shots. We need to focus not just on scoring but protecting our goal.”
Amorim added to Sky Sports: “It was so clear that the players felt that (we had let Wolves back into the game). We scored a goal, we have the game under control, we are creating chances, no chances for the opposition.
“But we need to understand that in our moment, anything can happen, and it doesn’t matter the result. We need to push forward and we did that in the second half.”
“It’s not just the goal he scored, it’s the way he plays the game – how he attacks, he defends, he understands his technical qualities,” said Amorim.
“You don’t need to have many touches. He’s a really good player and works hard. He knows sometimes he needs to start on the bench.”
With the win, United moved up into sixth in the table, one point off the UEFA Champions League places.
Amorim’s team have lost just once in their last nine outings, but face tricky tests against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Newcastle United before they welcome Wolves to Old Trafford for the return fixture at the end of 2025.
And the United manager was not getting carried away with the victory, saying their sixth-place standing meant “nothing”.
“It’s always the same feeling, we should have more points,” he said. “But that’s in the past, let’s focus on the future.”
Edwards: Wolves defending ‘like watching a kids’ game’
Rob Edwards was less pleased with his own side’s performance, describing Wolves’ second-half performance as “baffling”.
Wolves are still rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, with two points from their first 15 games.
“Overall, there was a difference in quality, no doubt about it. We gifted three goals away,” Edwards told Sky Sports.
“At half-time, when we put ourselves in a position, we were back in the game, and finished strong in that first half, so there was a positive energy, a good feel and then to turn around and start the second half as we did was quite baffling.
“We gifted the three goals. Honestly, it was like watching a kids’ game for elements of the first three goals we gave away. If you do that at this level, you’re not going to win.
“You’re up against it. You’re not going to win a game of football if you’re doing that. Then at 3-1 it’s difficult. The whole atmosphere is difficult.
“You want to show a willingness to get back into the game. But on the flipside, if they’re counter-attacking, it’s deadly and you can leave yourself open.”
A fan protest saw Wolves supporters filter into the stadium 15 minutes after kick-off, and Edwards was sympathetic to their “anger and frustration”.
“They’ve not seen their team win for ages, so I get the anger and frustration completely,” he said. “If I was a supporter I’d be angry myself because we all want to see our team competing and I want to be doing that.”
