Ruben Amorim has warned his Manchester United players that he will learn more about them against bottom-of-the-table Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday than in the last two games away against Arsenal and Liverpool.
United lifted the gloom surrounding the club by knocking the Gunners out of the FA Cup on penalties a week after they drew 2-2 with Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield.
It has raised questions about United's mentality when they face the smaller clubs, and Amorim is waiting to see if his players can reach the same level against a Saints side adrift at the foot of the table.
Asked if he is worried about facing an underdog, the United head coach said: 'I'm always worried, it's my job to worry.
'Everyone can see that in some matches we are a different team, and that it is sometimes more difficult to play against these teams.
'But we have to compete against Southampton in the same way as we do against Liverpool and Arsenal, that is the aim. No more, no less, look at that game.
'I think this next match will teach me more about my players than the previous two, so I'm focused to see what kind of match we'll play. We'll know tomorrow.
“It's different games and people expect us to win. That changes things. When you have the pressure to win, that's the pressure we want. Sometimes it's difficult.
'Nobody expected us to beat those teams against Arsenal and Liverpool, but now we have to be prepared for that pressure. We need that pressure as a team and to approach the match in the right way.
'For me there are never any excuses. I think it's very clear to everyone: if we're the same team we were against Liverpool and Arsenal, we'll be a better team against any opponent.”
United have lost their last three games at home in the league to Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle, and Amorim wants to see more of the resilience his players showed at Anfield and the Emirates.
“We want to be a team that is difficult to play against,” he added. 'It's like, especially at home in the last games, I felt like we were easy to play against. We have to be honest about that.
“So if we approach the competition the right way, we will be unbeatable for any opponent. That's what I want.'
Amorim, who revealed Luke Shaw is close to a return, expects Harry Maguire to play on Thursday despite his departure to the Emirates.
“We can't lose Harry, so we'll see,” Amorim said. 'He's doing great. He feels more like an important player in the team and I feel like he is a leader again.
'He was ill in the last match and ultimately dead, that's what I expect from every player.'
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