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Manchester Evening News

'It takes time' - Manchester United players agree about exciting progress with Ruben Amorim

Man Utd's results have continued to be hit-and-miss but there have been clear signs of improvement in Amorim's system.

Hojlund and Eriksen discussed Amorim's system.(Image: MUTV)

Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlind believe progress has been made at Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim was appointed from Sporting Lisbon in November and he immediately implemented a new system, switching to a back-three, wing-backs and two No.10 roles.


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Amorim didn't have the benefit of time at Carrington to drill his new system into his players and results have continued to be poor. However, the glimmers of progress have become sustained in matches and United looked well-organised against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday.

It has taken time for the players to look comfortable in Amorim's system, but United are starting to look like a well-coached side and that organisation was visible in the Manchester derby.

"I think we're starting [to learn] the system, you've got to learn your movements, player to player. I think that's very important," Hojlund said in an interview with Premier League Productions.


"I've played in this sort of system before, where it's so important that you know each other's movements and also like the opponents' characteristics.

"But also internally, what is it that, say, Christian is thinking when he's on the ball? That's so important to understand and also to look what are his sort of main characteristics. That's so important.

"We're starting to get to know that because of training and because of games, obviously, but, yeah, you can start to see that a bit more now and I think that's why the results are improving."


Eriksen added: "It takes time to adapt to new roles and new positions on the pitch. I think everybody knows that we have some very, very good footballers. It's more about fitting them in the system that the manager wants you to be in. And then, from there, take advantage. Yeah, it takes time."

United will play Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday, although the league campaign has been written off and Amorim might have an eye on next week's game against Lyon.

If United win the Europa League, they will gain entry into next season's Champions League.


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