Ruben Amorim plays down Ed Sheeran’s awkward post-match interview gatecrash as Man United boss insists ‘it was nothing’ despite popstar labelling himself a ‘b****nd’

Ruben Amorim has played down Ed Sheeran‘s awkward post-match gatecrash after Manchester United‘s draw at Ipswich, insisting: ‘It was nothing’.

Amorim was being interviewed pitchside at Portman Road by Sky Sports when pop sensation Sheeran inadvertently interrupted the live segment.

Sheeran has since apologised, labelling himself a ‘bit of a b****nd’ in a brief social media message, but Amorim believes the odd moment was blown out of proportion.

He also declared United legend and Sky pundit Roy Keane the ‘real star’ of the panel. 

‘Here you are used to that but in Portugal, it’s so different’, he said, speaking during his press conference ahead of United’s Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt.

‘I think sometimes you overcomplicate things. It was nothing. It was a simple thing to say hello to one of the commentators. So, for me it was nothing. 

‘I was just thinking about the game. I was with Roy Keane. Roy Keane was the real star of that panel. It was really, really OK. It was nothing special.’

Sheeran, a diehard Ipswich supporter who sponsor’s the club’s kit and owns a minority stake, said he was not aware that Amorim was being interviewed.

He added he had attempted to speak to Jamie Redknapp, who, alongside Keane, Izzy Christiansen and presenter Kelly Cates, was part of the Sky Sports panel.

‘Apologies if I offended Amorim yesterday, didn’t actually realise he was being interviewed at the time, was popping to say hi and bye to Jamie,’ Sheeran wrote on Instagram. ‘Obvz feel a bit of a b****nd but life goes on. 

‘Great game though, congrats to all involved x.’

Amorim appeared visibly frustrated by the situation and even shook his head, but the interview eventually continued after Sheeran had departed. 

Seemingly referring to Amorim, Sheeran, who was also pictured drinking Guinness on the pitch post-match, said: ‘I don’t think he wants to speak to me.’

He then added: ‘I love being back in the Premier League.’ 

Previewing tomorrow’s visit of Bodo/Glimt, Amorim addressed Marcus Rashford’s stuttering form at United but warned the forward he must ‘want it’.

‘I will try to help him,’ Amorim said. ‘That position is not the best one for him, especially in a game like that. We have to kick with high pressure, we have to kick the ball so many times and it was like fighting with two giants.

‘We’ll try to find the right solution for him, as for the other players. 

‘But he has to be Marcus, first of all, to try to return to that moment and then he will have all the help of the staff, the club and the fans because he’s a Manchester United boy. But he has to be the first one to want it.’