Amorim Sees Positives in Højlund and Amad’s Heated Exchange After United’s European Win
PLZEN, Czechia — Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has a unique perspective on what many might see as a concerning moment. After United’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over FC Viktoria Plzen, Amorim described the heated exchange between teammates Rasmus Højlund and Amad as a “good sign” because it shows the players care deeply about their performance and the team’s success.
Højlund was the hero of the night, scoring twice to help United overturn a one-goal deficit and secure their first away win in Europe since beating Real Betis back in March 2023. But the post-match drama stole the spotlight when Højlund and Amad had to be separated by Lisandro Martínez after the final whistle. The two players were seen accusing each other of failing to make the right decisions during several late-game counterattacks.
For Amorim, this fiery exchange wasn’t a problem—it was a positive. “For me, it’s perfect,” he said when asked about the confrontation. “We need to feel something. 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. We need to feel something, and that is important.”
Passion Over Perfection
Amorim doubled down on his belief that the argument was a sign of passion and commitment. “When you don’t care, you don’t do anything,” he explained. “When you care, you fight with your brother, with your father, with your mother. For me, it’s a very good sign.”
He also emphasized that such moments are normal in a competitive environment. “It’s a normal thing, it’s a positive thing, a healthy thing,” Amorim said. “I let the players and the captain calm down the things. If I think it’s too much, I will go inside the dressing room. But it’s their space; they have to talk, to fight, and for me, it’s a very important thing.”
Højlund’s Heroics Save the Day
United’s victory wasn’t without its challenges. The team needed an 88th-minute winner from Højlund, who came off the bench in the second half and made an immediate impact. His first goal came just six minutes after entering the game, canceling out Viktoria Plzen’s opener. The hosts had taken the lead thanks to a costly mistake by United goalkeeper André Onana, whose misplaced pass to Matthijs de Ligt was intercepted, allowing former Watford, Derby County, and Burnley striker Matej Vydra to score.
Despite the early setback, Amorim was pleased with his team’s resilience. “I am happy that we win the game and still fight each other; that is a very good thing,” he said. “When you win and you fight with your teammate because you want to score one more, for me it’s a very good day for us. The way we give a goal to the opponent, it was important not to give up. That’s a great message.”
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Højlund’s Impact: The 21-year-old striker came off the bench to score twice, proving to be the difference-maker for United.
- Onana’s Struggles: Another error from the goalkeeper led to Viktoria Plzen’s opening goal, raising questions about his form.
- Team Spirit: The post-match argument between Højlund and Amad highlighted the players’ passion and desire to improve.
Amorim’s comments suggest that he values the emotional investment of his players, even if it occasionally boils over into conflict. For a team that has faced its share of challenges this season, the manager sees this as a step in the right direction.
As United fans reflect on the match, there’s plenty to be optimistic about. Højlund’s performance was a reminder of his potential, and the team’s ability to fight back from adversity shows character. While there’s still work to be done—particularly in tightening up defensive errors—Amorim’s leadership and perspective could be exactly what the team needs to turn their season around.
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
