GRIMSBY, England: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said his players “spoke for me really loud” after slumping to one of the most embarrassing losses in the club’s history on Wednesday.
United was beaten 12-11 in a penalty shootout by Grimsby Town, a team from the fourth tier of English soccer, in the second round of the League Cup. United had trailed 2-0 before scoring two late goals to snatch a 2-2 draw and force a shootout.
In a dig at his own players, Amorim praised Grimsby for being “the only team that was on the pitch.”
“The best players lose because a team can win against any group of players,” Amorim said, “and I think the (United) team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. We lost, the best team won.”
Amorim accused his team of playing “without any intensity.”
“We were completely lost and it’s hard to explain and that’s why I think they spoke really loud,” he said.
Asked what he meant by that specific comment, Amorim said: “I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.”
Amorim guided United to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season — its lowest ever in the competition — and has yet to earn a win in three games this season, after a loss to Arsenal and a draw at Fulham in the league.
“We have a game on the weekend (against Burnley) and then we have two weeks (during the international break). And we will sort things out,” Amorim said when asked where the Grimsby result left him and his team.
Amorim aims dig at own players after Man United’s embarrassing exit in the League Cup
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Amorim aims dig at own players after Man United’s embarrassing exit in the League Cup
- In a dig at his own players, Amorim praised Grimsby for being “the only team that was on the pitch.”
Napoli beat Bologna to lift Italian Super Cup
- Brazilian winger Neres curled in a brilliant shot from distance to give Napoli the lead before half-time against last season’s Italian Cup winners
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Napoli won the Italian Super Cup on Monday as David Neres scored twice to secure the reigning Serie A champions a 2-0 win over Bologna in the final in Jeddah.
Brazilian winger Neres curled in a brilliant shot from distance to give Napoli the lead before half-time against last season’s Italian Cup winners.
He struck again in the second half after intercepting a weak pass from Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia as he tried to play out from the back.
Neres finished with three goals in the Super Cup after also scoring in the 2-0 semifinal win over AC Milan last week.
It is the third time Napoli have won the competition, after 1990 and 2014.
“The lads deserve congratulations,” Napoli coach Antonio Conte told Sport Mediaset.
“They showed how much they wanted this trophy for the fans, and we’ll also have a great Christmas celebration now with a new trophy in the cabinet.”
Traditionally featuring the Serie A and Italian Cup champions, since 2023 the Italian Super Cup has also included the runners-up from league and cup.
The four-team tournament is contracted to be held in Saudi Arabia until 2029.
Napoli, who trail Serie A leaders Inter Milan by two points, return to league action on Sunday away to Cremonese. Bologna are at home to Sassuolo.
