Man Utd: Head coach Ruben Amorim warns he is 'fighting for his job' until the summer after unpredicted start at Old Trafford

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim cautioned that "we are fighting for our jobs" as he shifted focus away from the Marcus Rashford controversy, which engulfed the club in January.

Rashford departed United, who are 13th in the Premier League table after seven defeats at Old Trafford this season, to join Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season.

'Ruben Amorim.'

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During his news conference on Thursday afternoon, ahead of Friday night's FA Cup fourth-round match against Leicester at Old Trafford, Amorim was questioned about the deal's conclusion.

"We're fighting for our jobs till summer. I'm just focused on these games," he said.

"Fortunately, Marcus is currently in Birmingham with Unai [Emery], so you can direct your queries over the next several months to another coach.

"We are now concentrating only on our athletes.

"I knew when I chose this career that there was a danger of the outcome, and I knew when I arrived here.

"I looked at the schedule, I looked at the club, and I realized that my choice to change everything, to make these difficult decisions in the midst of the season - without fresh additions - is risky for a coach.

"But, whether the consequences are good or terrible, I've known what I want to achieve since the beginning, and I take these chances because I believe they will pay off in the end.

"But I'm not naive; I already said many times that this is a sport of results and we are in a difficult situation."

On Rashford, Amorim said, "I couldn't get Marcus to realize how you're meant to play football and practice the way I view it.

"And occasionally you have one guy who is really good with one coach and completely different with another.

"I just wish the best to Rashford and to Unai Emery, and they can connect because he's a very good player."

When asked if Rashford had said that he disagreed with Amorim's football ideals, the head coach responded: "You know, like me, that that is not the way it happens.

"It's something you experience as both a coach and a player. It is totally usual. This occurred to a number of coaches.

"The important thing is that I'm here saying that was my decision, like Ty (Malacia) and Antony was my decision to do these loans, and to keep some players even without any transfers."

United allowed Antony, Tyrell Malacia, and Rashford to go on loan, with only teenage defenders Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu joining.

The team looked to be close to signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, but the 19-year-old attacker instead agreed to join Tottenham on loan until the end of the season.

Amorim's analysis of the window hinted to United's willingness to endure short-term pain in exchange for long-term gain.

"What I feel is that the club is taking its time," he said. "We understand the team's urgency at the moment, but I believe everyone here does not want to repeat the mistakes we made in the past.

"We need to improve our current players, win some games, and then see what happens in the summer. We are being extremely cautious with transfers since we have made some blunders in the past.

"It's a situation where it's difficult to turn things around in a few games. It will be like that - extremely difficult - until the conclusion of the season.

"We want a different thing in our team; we want profiles, and that is my area, so I made the decision to do that [rather than making wholesale changes in January].

"We're taking some chances, but this is the path we want to go. We can enhance our squad. We will have time to train since I am constantly moaning about not having time to train.

"We now have time to train, and we plan to improve the squad and the players. I want a specific sort of player with a distinct profile, and we're changing right away."

Manchester United's upcoming fixtures

February 7: Leicester (H), FA Cup fourth round, kick-off 8pm

February 16: Tottenham Hotspur (A), Premier League, live on Sporting, kick-off 4.30pm

February 22: Everton (A), Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm

February 26: Ipswich (H), Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm

March 9: Arsenal (H), Premier League, live on Sporting, kick-off 4.30pm

March 16: Leicester (A), Premier League, live on Sporting, kick-off 7pm