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EPL Premier League Action Even after a win that eases the anxiety around Manchester United into the international break, Ruben Amorim could not resist bringing out his unique brand of candour. Take the W? Amorim would rather take a pin to any bubble of hope around United after their 2-0 victory over Sunderland. Asked whether the fortnight gap before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool has come at the wrong time, Amorim said: “There is no momentum with our team, with the break or without the break. We know what happens when we win one game. The frustration is not to see the same team at home and away. ” Advertisement It was, at least, an honest answer from a man who has yet to oversee back-to-back Premier League wins. Three victories on the spin at Old Trafford, and none away so far, also fuelled Amorim’s angst. Then there was the topic of his players, who he senses are affected by media scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 system. He said as much on the eve of this fixture, which had grown in importance beyond all expectations before this campaign started. Even though Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to give Amorim a full season, and losing to Sunderland was not regarded as terminal, doing so would have brought immense pressure. In those circumstances, the words from Mason Mount, scorer of the opening goal with a brilliant finish, were pertinent. In the tunnel at Old Trafford, he told the BBC that the squad is “100 per cent behind the gaffer”. Presented with that statement, Amorim had a different view. “I saw today, ” he started in agreement, before adding: “I know they want to do the best — and I know they don’t want to change the coach all the time. “But to be with the manager is: ‘I will kill myself to go in every transition’. We need to show with actions and when we see the games in the end, they know that sometimes we can do better. So, I feel that during the week, but we need to show that on the pitch, not just at home, but also away. ” As ever with Amorim, it took a little deciphering, but he seemed to be calling back to his exasperation after Grimsby, that perhaps his players do want to change the coach some of the time. Undoubtedly, he feels that supporting a manager means a player sprinting to exhaustion up and down every time the circumstances demand. He had, after all, marked his first training session at Carrington nearly a year ago with barks to his players to “run”. Last December, he explained he wanted them to move like “mad dogs”. His argument is that each time they don’t, they are sending a message that the guy in charge might not be for them. Whether that fluctuating dynamic between coach and players should have any lasting consequences is a matter for United’s board and owners, which, as Amorim referenced in his pre-match press conference, includes the Glazers as well as Ratcliffe. Advertisement Against Sunderland, United weren’t required to stretch themselves to athletic extremes. Mount’s goal — a sharp touch and shot to Bryan Mbeumo’s cross — followed by Benjamin Sesko’s tap-in from Diogo Dalot’s long throw, gave them a cushion that they rested on in the second half. Amorim was pleased that his team negotiated that closing period with maturity. “We didn’t play well in the second half, but we were focused, we fight for second balls, Ben was there to touch the ball all the time, ” he said. “These small things are going to help us win games. If we cannot play well, they will not play well — and that’s the way a big team plays during the season. ” Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris identified United’s safety measures. “They went direct, ” he said. “Second balls. It’s impossible to stop this idea. ” There was no hint of bitterness in Le Bris, he understood United’s assignment, but this “idea” was nevertheless quite removed from the one Amorim promised fans they would see when he arrived. Just as Erik ten Hag told David de Gea to kick the ball long for the visit of Liverpool in August 2022 after losing his opening two games in charge, Amorim instructed Senne Lammens, on his debut, not to risk an easy concession by passing possession short. The 23-year-old hit 33 long passes (defined as 40 metres or more) — more than double the number by a goalkeeper in any other United game this season. In second place, Altay Bayindir went long 16 times against Manchester City. Against Brentford, he did so only eight times. That figure of 33 by Lammens was also higher than in any Premier League match during the last campaign, the nearest being against Newcastle in April (24) when United lost 4-1. Lammens was trusted to receive the ball by his team-mates — 26 long passes were in open play, seven from goal-kicks — and often they laid it back to him in a way that invited an immediate clearance. He did hit off his left as well as his stronger right foot. Sesko’s presence up front served to provide a genuine outlet, with Mbeumo and Mount looking for flick-ons. Advertisement It will be interesting to see if the strategy continues. United’s pivotal moment against Chelsea — the red card — came from Bayindir kicking long for Sesko to glance Mbeumo clean through. In these circumstances, pragmatism has merit. On his first United appearance, Lammens did exude a composure that spread to the defenders in front. Each time he caught high balls, two in particular, the crowd gave him an ovation, in a sign of the jitters that have stalked United’s goalkeepers in recent times. His save near the final whistle to Chemsdine Talbi, bringing his legs together to block the shot one-on-one, was his finest moment, erasing the hesitation he displayed when Bertrand Traore burst towards the box. Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield. “When Senne arrived here, first of all, Altay was playing and he needs to adapt, new country, new training, the pressure you guys put on the goalkeeper was massive, so it was a little preparation for him to be ready to start his first game. “It is just one game and he needs to work, he needs to be prepared that in our club things are really hard. ” There was that honesty again from Amorim. (Top photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Laurie Whitwell worked for the Daily Mail from 2010, covering midlands football for the last five years, including Leicester’s remarkable Premier League triumph. Whitwell was nominated for sports scoop of the year at the 2019 SJAs for breaking Wayne Rooney’s move to DC United. He will be reporting on Manchester United for The Athletic. Follow Laurie on Twitter @lauriewhitwell