Ruben Amorim Blames ‘Disconnect’ for Manchester United’s Carabao Cup Exit
Manchester United’s hopes of securing their first trophy under new manager Ruben Amorim were dashed following a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Despite a spirited second-half comeback, the Red Devils fell short, leaving Amorim to lament a critical “disconnect” that proved costly.
What Happened?
Tottenham Hotspur took control of the match early, racing to a 3-0 lead shortly after half-time. Pedro Porro and James Maddison orchestrated Spurs’ dominance in midfield, with Son Heung-min delivering the decisive blows. United struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages of the second half, but a quickfire double gave them a glimmer of hope. Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in a seven-minute spell reduced the deficit to 3-2, breathing life back into the contest.
However, Tottenham’s composure saw them strike again, with Son adding his second to restore a two-goal cushion. Although Jonny Evans scored a late header, it was merely a consolation as United’s Carabao Cup journey ended with disappointment.
Amorim’s Assessment
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Amorim pointed to a lack of cohesion during the opening minutes of the second half as the turning point. “We disconnected in the beginning of the second half—it was a tough moment for us, like 10 minutes,” he explained. “Then we returned and did a great job. If you look at the game, I think we were the better team, but they [Spurs] were more clinical. We lost the game, but the fight from the lads was really important for me.”
Amorim highlighted the importance of maintaining composure after conceding, criticizing his team’s inability to keep possession during that crucial period. “In games like this, we have to maintain long possession right after conceding. Instead, we started losing the ball and making poor passes in the build-up, which left us exposed. We became nervous during that period, but eventually, we regained composure. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to turn things around,” Amorim admitted.
The Bigger Picture
The defeat adds to a challenging season for Manchester United, who are battling inconsistency under Amorim’s stewardship. While the team showed fighting spirit and flashes of brilliance, their defensive frailties and moments of indecision proved their undoing.
Tottenham, on the other hand, continue their strong campaign under Ange Postecoglou, booking their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and maintaining their momentum in all competitions.
What’s Next for Manchester United?
The Red Devils have little time to dwell on the loss as they prepare for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. With the pressure mounting, Amorim will be eager to ensure his team bounces back and begins to find consistency in their performances.
For Tottenham, they turn their attention to a high-stakes Premier League encounter with Liverpool, where they hope to extend their impressive run.
While this loss is a blow to Manchester United, Amorim will undoubtedly use it as a learning experience as he works to rebuild a team capable of competing for silverware in the near future.
