Amorim welcomes break despite Man Utd upturn / Photo: © AFP
Amorim welcomes break despite Man Utd upturn
Ruben Amorim said his Manchester United players have been stretched to "their limit" despite continuing an upwards trajectory with a comfortable 3-0 win at Leicester on Sunday.
Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended their barren runs in front of goal before the in-form Bruno Fernandes rounded off a fine win for the visitors at the King Power.
United only move up to 13th in the Premier League but are finally showing signs of improvement after a difficult first few months in the job for Amorim.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in seven games, excluding penalty shootouts, and are into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
United are not in action for another two-and-a-half weeks as an international break is followed by the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Amorim has welcomed that time to rest and recover with an injury-ravaged squad despite fears it could halt his side's momentum.
"It's a shame we stop for the national teams when our confidence is at its biggest," said the Portuguese.
"It was clear today my players are at the limit. We are going to use this window to rest and recover, it will be good.
"The feeling is completely different (after back-to-back wins). When we return it will be like starting from scratch."
United have now won all four meetings this season against Leicester, two of which came during Ruud van Nistelrooy's interim spell in charge prior to Amorim's appointment.
The Dutchman has struggled to make any meaningful impact since being appointed Leicester boss as the Foxes have lost 13 of their last 14 league games to slip nine points adrift of safety.
Leicester also set an unwanted record as the first English top-flight side to fail to score in seven consecutive home league games.
"I think in both boxes the difference in quality showed," said Van Nistelrooy.
"The efficiency in finishing chances, and also defending key moments in the game.
"Overall if you look at the metrics of the game there's not much in it. But obviously the efficiency is there."
All three promoted sides now look destined for the drop for the second consecutive Premier League season.
Ipswich sit above Leicester only on goal difference, while bottom-of-the-table Southampton have taken just nine points from 29 games.
"The gap is nine points, it's big, but we can't and won't give up," added Van Nistelrooy on his side's survival chances.
"We'll keep going and use all the possibilities we have to turn this situation around. Now we'll have a long break and come back from there."
F.Adams--TNT
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