Premier League: Ruben Amorim assesses Man Utd's state before Forest clash, acknowledges their stature but...

Ruben Amorim has characterized Manchester United as a 'massive club but not a massive team' during a period of transition. Speaking ahead of Nottingham Forest's visit to Old Trafford on Friday (Dec 6), Amorim acknowledged the challenges facing his side and emphasized the need for regrouping in order to secure major trophies in the future. United currently finds themselves in 13th place in the Premier League, with only 19 points garnered from 14 matches this season.

Amorim describes Manchester United’s case

"We're a massive club but we're not a massive team and we know it so it is no problem to say it," Amorim told a news conference on Friday.

"Our players have to understand that it's a challenging position. We're not one of the best teams in the league and we have to say and think that clearly but our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league.”

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In October, the Red Devils sacked FA Cup-winning coach Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the season. He was replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy on an interim basis before Amorim’s arrival as permanent head coach. The Portuguese gaffer suffered his first defeat of the season on Wednesday after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

It was also his first defeat of the season as manager, having gone unbeaten during his spell at Sporting Lisbon.

With Forest enjoying a stellar 2024-25 season, Saturday's late kick-off won’t be an easy ride for the Old Trafford outfit. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is on 22 points in the seventh place, but a win for United will see them go level on points with the former European champions. In positive news for the Amorim’s side, summer signing Leny Yoro is set to be available having missed the start of the season due to an injury.