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- Amorim will look to bounce back with a midweek win against Viktoria Plzen
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Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United’s plans haven’t altered despite the shock sacking of sporting director Dan Ashworth, saying: ‘One person leaving doesn’t change anything.’
The 53-year-old was axed by chief executive Omar Berrada in the wake of Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford after just 159 days in the job.
Ashworth was involved in the process to bring in Amorim from Sporting Lisbon as Erik ten Hag’s replacement in November, but only had a few weeks to work with the new head coach.
Asked about Ashworth’s departure after United landed in the Czech Republic on Wednesday night ahead of their Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen, Amorim said: ‘The first thing I want to say is since the first day I felt great support from the ownership; from Omar, from Jason (Wilcox), and Dan was part of that.
‘I really, really, really felt support from Dan also, but this is football and sometimes this happens. It happens with players, with coaches. I know it’s not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody, and I think this can happen in football.
‘I felt since day one the support from everybody. One person leaving don’t change nothing. Of course, it’s a bad situation. We are talking about a human being, a professional, that supports us as a team. But I think the most important thing is the vision is really clear, and that don’t change if one person leaves.’
Ruben Amorim has shared his thoughts on the recent departure of Man United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth
Ashworth spent just five months in the role after seeing out a spell of gardening leave from Premier League rivals Newcastle
Technical director Wilcox is set to step into Ashworth’s role as per an email sent to United’s staff on Wednesday, with Christopher Vivell also expected to take a more prominent role after his axing by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe just five months into the job.
Mail Sport revealed that United will not target a like-for-like replacement for Ashworth – who was discussing deals as recently as last week – but could make another executive appointment.
United are in 12th place in the Europa League table, one spot above Plzen, and Amorim urged his players to secure the top-eight finish that would mean avoiding a two-legged play-off.
‘For us, it’s massive,’ he added. ‘We’re facing a team a lot of people don’t know, but they’re unbeaten at home in Europe.
‘It’s really important to go to the next stage, and we need to win tomorrow because of all of that. If you pass to the next stage without a play-off, we take (away) two games.’
When also asked on Wednesday night if he needs to sell to buy in January, Amorim said: ‘I really don’t know, there’s a lot at stake at this moment. Every detail counts; we have to be very clear in the profiles and then go to that phase of buying and selling players.
‘If we don’t win, the coach goes and the player goes. There’s a lot to do so let’s focus on improving our players.’
