Amorim demands further progress after Uniteds top victory against Liverpool at Anfield
Ruben Amorim stated that the initial triumph at Anfield since 2016 served as fitting compensation for Manchester Uniteds dedicated supporters following Harry Maguires decisive late strike which caused a fourth straight loss for Liverpool.
The 2-1 success guaranteed Uniteds first consecutive wins in the Premier League since Amorim assumed control almost a year earlier.
Yet the Portuguese manager noted that the teams reaction during the upcoming home match against Brighton at Old Trafford next weekend would reveal more about Uniteds potential achievements for the campaign.
"It represented the most significant victory during my period with Manchester United. It carries great weight right now but by tomorrow it will fade in importance" Amorim remarked.
United suffered an early exit from the League Cup against fourth-division Grimsby back in August and Amorim seemed close to dismissal after the loss to Brentford last month.
Nevertheless triumphs against Sunderland and their longstanding adversaries have boosted the Red Devils to ninth position in the Premier League just two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
"This result held real value for our supporters. They endured tough times versus Grimsby and Brentford yet today they witnessed a transformed squad" Amorim continued.
"Securing a win at the venue of the title holders and our fiercest opponents proves truly vital."
In spite of the wins importance Amorim expressed incomplete contentment with his teams display.
Bryan Mbeumo provided the away side with an ideal beginning by netting the initial goal only 61 seconds into the contest.
United created opportunities to increase their advantage as Bruno Fernandes struck the upright yet they also needed some fortune to hold on.
Cody Gakpo struck the frame of the goal on three occasions prior to the Dutch striker levelling the score on 78 minutes.
That said Maguire who squandered a clear opportunity in a previous 2-2 stalemate during Uniteds last Anfield visit in January emerged as the unexpected saviour by nodding in Fernandes cross.
"It proved a superb triumph not the most polished performance but with excellent resolve and that suffices for me" Amorim commented.
Poor record on set pieces
Arne Slot attributed his teams profligacy in attack and vulnerability at set pieces to this being the most recent in a series of disappointing outcomes.
Liverpool have not endured four successive defeats since 2014.
Alexander Isak was thwarted in his bid for a debut Premier League strike since his record-breaking £125 million $168 million move to Liverpool by Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens ahead of the interval.
Mohamed Salah missed the target from an excellent position shortly after the restart while Gakpo astonishingly nodded astray with a chance to draw level following Maguires effort.
"Had you informed me pre-match that we would generate eight nine or ten clear openings I would have deemed it unlikely. Despite all those opportunities we managed just one goal" the Dutch coach Slot explained.
"Winning a major football match becomes nearly unattainable when your set-piece tally remains negative.
"We allowed yet another one in today which ultimately cost us the match."
The reverse positions Liverpool four points behind Premier League frontrunners Arsenal.