Ruben Amorim admits Man Utd desperation as three players leave struggling squad

Ruben Amorim and Manchester United are in Hong Kong on their post-season tour, but the Portuguese admits he and the club need to “turn the page” on their dismal campaign

Ruben Amorim insists he and his Manchester United players are desperate to “turn the page” on a disappointing campaign as they head into the second match of a post-season Asian tour in Hong Kong on Friday.

United were booed off in defeat to an ASEAN All-Stars team in Malaysia on Wednesday, a week on from losing the Europa League final to Tottenham and missing out on a Champions League spot as a result.

The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their worst season in 51 years. The club will earn £8million from this trip to the Far East and while Amorim acknowledges the importance of tours such as this for him and the players to connect with United’s worldwide fanbase, there is clearly a big part of him that just wants this season to be over.

“We want to give something to the fans, but it’s hard in this moment – we just want to turn the page and improve next season,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.

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“We cannot hide that it is really tough in this moment for us not to close the season, but if there is one thing that is really important in this club it is that we need to face our fans in this moment, and we need to give something to our fans around the world.”

Amorim is again expected to heavily rotate his squad for the match against Hong Kong. Three senior players – Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Andre Onana – have flown on to a fan engagement event in India so are unavailable, while Luke Shaw is injured.

“I will try to divide because I don’t want all the young kids all together,” Amorim said. “I will try to mix these things. We want to be competitive. If they are fit, they will play, and we will have the maximum respect for everybody here and for our fans.”

Meanwhile, United have been mocked by the Malaysian prime minister after their defeat in Kuala Lumpur. Anwar Ibrahim was in the crowd at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, and wrote on Facebook: “Oh no!

“Manchester United failed to win a trophy again. Looks like you guys are going to have a ‘headache’ next season. Hopefully you don’t get relegated to the Championship.”

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