Ruben Amorim’s “no excuses” warning ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace raises the stakes — United’s poor away record suggests Crystal Palace or a draw could offer value for punters, with Palace +0.5 (Asian) or Draw/Place markets worth considering rather than backing United to win outright.
Amorim Issues “No Excuses” Warning Ahead of Crystal Palace Trip
Ruben Amorim has laid down the law to his Manchester United squad ahead of the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, insisting there will be “no excuses” if his side fail to overturn a dire run away from Old Trafford.
Poor Away Form Piles Pressure on United
United have managed just one away victory in their last 11 matches and arrive at Selhurst Park without a win in five visits. That sequence — punctuated by draws at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham and a recent home setback to a 10-man Everton — has amplified scrutiny on Amorim’s men and intensified the demand for immediate improvement on the road.
Fixture Congestion and Recent Europa League Exit
The squad returns to league action only days after fielding a strong XI in a Europa League loss, leaving little recovery time. Amorim referenced the club’s recent runs in European competition as context but was clear that participation or exhaustion is not an acceptable explanation for domestic shortcomings.
Amorim on Intensity, Game Management and Finishing
Amorim singled out intensity and late-game control as recurring problems: “When we played at home, the intensity was higher. In this game at home the intensity was not at the same level. It's hard to point one thing why we are not winning away. There's a lot of issues. We are improving but we need to know how to finish the games in order to win.”
Tactical Comparison: Learning from Glasner’s Palace
Asked about Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner’s success with a back-three and the Austrian’s FA Cup-winning credentials, Amorim stressed stylistic differences rather than direct imitation. “We play a different way,” he said, noting variations in defensive positioning, timing and attacking moments. Amorim added that he draws inspiration from peers and is always seeking improvements after six years as a professional manager.
Match Outlook and Betting Implications
Amorim’s public ultimatum raises the match’s significance and could force United into a more proactive setup. However, their alarming away record and Palace’s consistency under Glasner point to market value on a Palace result or the draw. Punters might prefer Palace on the double chance or Palace +0.5 in Asian markets rather than backing United to win outright.
What to Watch
Key indicators for the game will be United’s opening intensity, their defensive shape away from home, and how effectively they close out moments in the final third. Amorim’s demand for higher intensity will be tested immediately at Selhurst Park.
CHRIS WHEELER: United have won just once away from Old Trafford in the last 11 attempts - including recent draws at Forest and Tottenham - and are without a victory in five visits to Palace.
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