Ruben Amorim singled out Manchester United youngster Harry Amass for praise following the side’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Amass, 18, was given the nod in place of Patrick Dorgu to make his full Premier League debut at St James’ Park and the left-back’s performance was one of the few positive takeaways from an otherwise wretched afternoon for the visitors.
Alejandro Garnacho cancelled out Sandro Tonali’s opener with a composed finish to set up an intriguing second half, only for Newcastle to blow Amorim’s men away after the break.
Harvey Barnes was the pick of Newcastle’s attackers, with the England winger twice capitalising on United’s lackadaisical defending to complete a 15-minute brace on Tyneside.
A misplaced pass from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir gifted Newcastle their fourth through Bruno Guimaraes and the hosts held firm to move back into the Premier League top four.
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The Red Devils, meanwhile, remain stranded down in 14th place and the result confirmed the club will finish on their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League,even if they win all of their remaining games.
‘When we suffered the second goal at the beginning of the second half, we went down and we need to be better in these moments. We need to control it,’ United head coach Amorim told reporters at his post-match press conference.
‘They are already a really, really good team, but then with all the mistakes that we made helped the opponents to win confidence and win the game.
‘I’m going to continue to do the same. We are going to analyse the game but we need to focus on the next one.
‘We cannot change this one and the next one is massive for us, so let’s focus on the next one [against Lyon] on Thursday, to play better and to win the game.’
Amorim admitted his side need to ‘improve in a lot of things’ before they can start closing the gap on the top teams in the Premier League.
‘We need to move forward and do things so much better in the future to not have this kind of season,’ the Portuguese added.
‘You can see some goals that they [Newcastle] were doing with high pressure and we lost the possession in some moments, in some spaces that we cannot lose possession.
‘We need to improve in a lot of things and, again, our position is the reflection of our performances this season and we have to accept that.’
United academy product Amass became the fourth youngest player in the in history to start a Premier League game for the club – and Amorim was pleased with the teenager’s showing.
‘I think he did quite well,’ Amorim said.
‘He caught a player that is really fast, he made his debut in maybe one of the hardest stadiums with a team that is really in a good moment.
‘I think he did really well so he needs to continue and we need to help all these young kids to perform in a higher level.’
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, a defiant Amorim insisted he ‘didn’t care’ about any criticism coming his way in the wake of United’s latest setback.
‘I understand but I don’t care. Nothing is worse than losing games,’ Amorim said.
‘People can say whatever they want to say. I don’t want to defend myself or anything like that.
‘If you look at our position in the table, it says it all. Thursday is really important. Losing games is the hardest part by far of this job. Let’s focus on Thursday [against Lyon].
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