'It's hard to explain' — Amorim dumbfounded by difference between United fortunes at home and abroad
United's Europa League semifinal first leg victory in the Basque country ensured they remain the only team unbeaten in European competition this season, in contrast to them being on course for a worst-ever Premier League points haul.
'It's hard to explain,' Amorim said.
'We improve in the last games. I don't look just to the results. We had some games we won that we didn't play well and some games we lost but we played well. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck.
'We can win this competition and in the Premier League we are suffering game after game and try to manage both things with some injuries. Sometimes it's harder even for the players.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
43 minutes ago
- IOL News
Durban City's Gavin Hunt concerned over loss of identity in SA football
Veteran coach Gavin Hunt will guide Durban City from the technical area in their debut season of the Betway Premiership. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has expressed deep concern over the continued erasure of South African football's identity, following yet another major club sale — this time involving his former side, SuperSport United, now renamed Siwelele FC. Hunt, one of the most successful coaches in the local game, guided SuperSport to three consecutive league titles between 2008 and 2010 and is credited with nurturing a generation of top-flight talent during his time at the Tshwane-based outfit. Fix Football #LetsFixSAFootball Image: Independent Media The sale and rebranding of the club is personal for the veteran mentor — and symptomatic, he believes, of a wider issue plaguing the game. 'Club names should not change, that's the first thing I think is important,' Hunt said. 'If people buy clubs, then they should stay in the city the club is from and carry on from there.' This latest move follows a familiar pattern in South African football — Bidvest Wits, another of Hunt's former clubs and the 2016/17 league champions under his leadership, was also sold and dissolved in 2020, cutting ties with a century-long footballing heritage. 'You cannot build a support base, a stadium or training facilities if you're constantly uprooting clubs,' he added. 'So, if you buy a club, leave it where it is and keep the name so we won't have this [loss of history].' Hunt drew parallels with European giants, where foreign ownership rarely results in such radical overhauls. 'When the (Emirati owners or Saudi owners) buy Manchester City or the Americans buy Manchester United and Liverpool, they remain who they are,' he explained. There's no identities being lost — but we've lost our identity in South African football.' The coach warned that this constant shifting is making it harder for fans to connect with teams, particularly when clubs are moved to entirely different provinces or communities. 'People can't align themselves with these clubs because there's no identity and it's very sad to witness,' he said. Currently leading Durban City in the Betway First Division, Hunt is once again at the helm of a club with historic roots. And as someone who has spent decades shaping the local football narrative, he believes the game must return to prioritising long-term vision over short-term deals. While club sales may sometimes be necessary for financial survival, Hunt argues that preserving legacy, geography, and identity should never be compromised. Because for Hunt, football is more than just 90 minutes on a pitch — it's about building something that lives on for generations.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Bayern agree deal to sign Liverpool winger Diaz: reports
Diaz was left out of Liverpool's 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday. Bayern Munich have agreed to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in a £65.5 million ($88 million) deal, according to multiple reports on Sunday Photo: Paul ELLIS / AFP German champions Bayern Munich have agreed to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in a £65.5 million ($88 million) deal, according to multiple reports on Sunday. Bayern had an initial offer of £59 million rejected by the Premier League champions last week, but their improved bid looks set to bring the Colombia international to the Allianz Arena. ALSO READ: Liverpool sign forward Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt Diaz has reportedly been given permission to leave Liverpool's pre-season tour of Asia in order to complete a medical with Bayern. He joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield. The 28-year–old made 50 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions last season as Arne Slot's team clinched the English title for the first time in five years. Diaz was left out of Liverpool's 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday as speculation mounted over his future. 'In Lucho's (Diaz's) situation, there's a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that,' Slot said after the Milan match. 'He's training really well with us but we have decided for now not to play him yet. 'I'm used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. I cannot comment much more about that.' Diaz's impending signing gives Bayern a quality replacement for Germany forward Jamal Musiala, who has been ruled out for a 'long period' after he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle at the Club World Cup this month. Liverpool have been busy in the transfer window, bolstering their attacking options with expensive swoops for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. Defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez arrived from Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joined from Valencia. The Reds are also believed to be interested in making a bid for Newcastle's £150 million-rated striker Alexander Isak.
eNCA
10 hours ago
- eNCA
Defending champions England beat Spain on penalties to win Women's Euro 2025
LONDON - Chloe Kelly converted the decisive kick as England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to lift the Women's Euro 2025 trophy after Sunday's game had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, allowing the Lionesses to avenge their defeat in the World Cup final two years ago and retain their continental crown. It looked as though Spain would repeat their victory over England in Sydney in 2023 as they dominated the game at St Jakob-Park in Basel and led through Mariona Caldentey's first-half header. But England did not panic, having already trailed against both Sweden in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semis before finding a way to win. Alessia Russo headed in their equaliser just before the hour mark, and no further goals meant a shoot-out in which Kelly -- who once again had a huge impact off the bench -- netted the winner. "I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net," Kelly told the BBC of her penalty. It was an agonising way to lose for Spain, but they failed to score three of their spot-kicks, with reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati seeing her effort saved. Sarina Wiegman's England are therefore back-to-back European champions, three years after they defeated Germany in extra time at Wembley to win a first women's major tournament. "What a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was at the match, wrote on X. Defeating Spain helps make up for the pain of losing the World Cup final in 2023, and England's victory also confirms Wiegman's place among the coaching greats. She has now won three consecutive European Championships, having led her native Netherlands to victory in 2017 before doing the same with England three years ago. "We said we can win by any means and that's what we have shown again today. I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible," said Wiegman, whose team lost to France in their first match at the tournament. "Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible," she added. Spain fell short in their quest to add a maiden European Championship title to the World Cup they won in Australia. La Roja dominated possession as expected, but ultimately paid the price for not killing the game against an England side who never know when they are beaten. "I am in shock," Bonmati told broadcaster TVE before apologising for failing from the spot.
