Ruben Amorim uses Manchester United as excuse after Milan’s Europa loss

Ruben Amorim could not resist a thinly‑veiled dig at Manchester United as he dissected AC Milan’s 2‑0 defeat to Benfica on Wednesday, insisting the pressure at the Italian club mirrors that of the English giants.

First Europa League setback

Goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub Kaminski handed the Italian giants a home reverse in their opening Europa League match of the season. The Portuguese side’s strike‑pair left Milan without points and highlighted early defensive frailties.

Amorim turned his criticism towards his players rather than the system, likening the loss to the Liga Portugal side and recalling his own struggles at Manchester United. He reminded observers that, during his Old Trafford stint, he repeatedly complained that United’s squad could not adapt to his three‑at‑the‑back philosophy.

“I think you are a little bit right,” Amorim said when asked about his squad after the Benfica defeat. “I know at Manchester United and Milan, two big clubs with the pressure to win, people expect everything in just a few months, and I feel the same pressure here.”

He added, “I think this team is a little bit different, they are more accustomed to working with three defenders, they are a little bit faster, a little bit stronger. Of course, I don’t have the clear characteristics that are perfect at this moment, but it is impossible when you take on a new team to have those perfect characteristics right away.”

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Amorim’s reflections and season outlook

The 41‑year‑old pleaded for patience, acknowledging that failure is possible regardless of a club’s stature. “I know it will take time, but I also know that there is big pressure at this club, yet I prefer this kind of job because if I need to fail one day, I want to fail big,” he said.

He expressed confidence that his players are listening in training, which gives him hope to solve the current problems. “I have a lot of passion for this club, I want to help this club to be better, I don’t know if I will have the time, but I look at my players and I think they are listening to everything that I say in training, and that gives me hope we can solve these problems.”

Amorim’s tenure began positively, with a 2‑1 win at Torino and a 2‑0 home victory over Venezia. However, draws at Juventus and Lazio were followed by the Benfica loss, extending Milan’s winless run to three matches.

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Next up, AC Milan host Lecce on Sunday ahead of the extended international break, offering Amorim a chance to halt the slide and implement his ideas.