Ruben Amorim had to remind Manchester United’s press officer to hold his pre-Arsenal press conference.
The Red Devils boss had been speaking to the media after his side were held to a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Joshua Zirkzee had given United the lead in the second half, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to equalise with a penalty on 70 minutes after Bruno Fernandes was penalised for handball.
Before the return leg at Old Trafford next week, Amorim‘s group face off against old rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
And after completing his post-match press conference for the Sociedad draw, the 40-year-old had been under the impression he would also field questions ahead of the weekend clash with the Gunners.
Before standing up to leave, Amorim asked the press officer: “Not press conference today?”
This was in reference to a prior agreement that the Portuguese coach would take embargoed questions from the media looking ahead to the Arsenal match.
After not receiving an initial response to his question, Amorim then got up and headed for the exit door, only to then be called back by the club official.
The press officer eventually said: “Oh sorry, we’re going to do that… it’s a good job he reminded me.”
Amorim appeared frustrated at the mishap, holding his arms outstretched while smiling as he turned to resume his media duties.
He then let out a huff after returning to his chair to face further questions from the press, before laughing to himself.
Prior to his embargoed Arsenal press conference, the Red Devils head coach reflected on his side’s clash with Sociedad.
Credit: YouTube @RedDevilsLatestAmorim was forced to remind United’s press officer of his additional media duties[/caption]
Credit: YouTube @RedDevilsLatestThe Portuguese held out his arms in frustration after having to return to his seat[/caption]
Credit: YouTube @RedDevilsLatestHe laughed to himself about the mix-up[/caption]
Despite heading into the second leg with things evenly poised, United missed a host of opportunities to take control of the tie before letting their lead slip.
And Amorim pointed to fatigue as the reason for his side’s failure to see the game out, with his side being taken all the way to penalties in their FA Cup defeat to Fulham last Sunday.
He said: “I felt that until the penalty we had control of the game. The penalty changed the momentum a bit.
“I felt that our team in the last 30 minutes were really, really tired. You can feel it in the game.
“So we take this stage to Old Trafford, it’s going to be a different game and the pressure is going to be on us.
“We have to be ready. The key will be to survive physically on Sunday and then to be ready and fresh for Thursday.”
Amorim also addressed another major talking point from the game, with Rasmus Hojlund left furious in the first half after Diogo Dalot failed to cross for what would have given the Dane an easy chance to tap in the opener.
On the incident, he said: “I think it’s hard to say, but I just imagine that Diogo doesn’t know for sure that Rasmus has the advantage.
“One thing that I’m sure, they are really anxious to score goals and to win games, so they are all doing their best.
“Sometimes they want to do the best, but they are not deciding the best way in that position.
“The important thing is to move on and not stay like them, fighting, and let’s move on to the next opportunity.”
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