Amorim Taking Man Utd Turnaround a Day at a Time

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Amorim Taking Man Utd Turnaround a Day at a Time

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he is taking it a day at a time after a 2-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, as he tries to turn around the club's fortunes.

United, who have now lost four of their last five Premier League games, are 14th in the standings on 22 points from 18 matches, 11 behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

"We have to work on a lot of things in our club, inside the pitch and outside of the pitch, in each game and use every minute of training and game to improve," Amorim said, adding he had "no idea" how long it would take to turn things around.

"I have to just take it day by day, try and see the videos, using every minute of training to try and (help) us win some points," he told reporters.

Asked for his view on his players after a month in charge, Amorim said: "They need time to change as they are changing completely and the way of playing is hard on them and it is also hard on the staff as well to pass all the information on.

"Then when you do not get the results that is even harder. We have to believe and we have to continue. It is a tough moment and we have to focus on the next game."

United host Newcastle United on Monday, before travelling to take on Liverpool on Jan. 5.



Bencic Inspires Switzerland to United Cup Win over France

 Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)
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Bencic Inspires Switzerland to United Cup Win over France

 Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)

Former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic sparkled on her return to the elite circuit after her maternity break, leading Switzerland to a 2-1 win over France in the United Cup mixed team tournament on Saturday.

The 27-year-old beat Chloe Paquet 6-3 6-1 in her first WTA Tour level match since giving birth to daughter Bella in April. She later combined with Dominic Stricker to down the pair of Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-1 7-6(4).

Bencic, who will compete in the Jan. 12-26 Australian Open with a protected ranking, said she was playing at a higher level than she expected.

"The whole comeback went much faster than I anticipated and expected. It's great," said Bencic, who first returned to action in October and played in the Billie Jean King Cup, apart from lower level tournaments.

"I didn't rush things. I was super careful with starting again. I didn't really want to put time pressure on my comeback. I just wanted to see how it goes every day.

"I think I was ready. There's no point in practicing more. It's boring, right? It's better to play competitive matches."

Ugo Humbert had earlier pulled France level at 1-1 with a 6-3 7-5 win over Stricker in the Group D contest, battling back from 2-5 down in the second set to prevail and force a mixed doubles rubber at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

Canada were also victorious in Group A of the 10 million tournament that features 18 countries, as they defeated Croatia 2-1 in Perth's RAC Arena.

Former US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez overcame Donna Vekic 6-4 6-3 before Felix Auger-Aliassime crashed to a 0-6 6-4 6-4 defeat by Borna Coric.

Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime then saw off Lucija Ciric Bagaric and Ivan Dodig 6-3 6-4 to clinch the tie.

Australia were in action against Argentina in Sydney while Greece meet Spain later in Perth.