Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has delivered a surprising verdict on a heated post-match confrontation between two of his players, describing it as a "very good sign" of passion and commitment.
Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to net a decisive brace in United's 2-1 triumph over Czech side FC Viktoria Plzen in their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday night.
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During injury time, tensions flared on the pitch as Hojlund and teammate Amad Diallo found themselves in promising counter-attacking positions but refused to pass to one another.
The disagreement spilled over at the final whistle, with the duo engaging in a fiery verbal exchange.
Rather than expressing concern, Amorim welcomed the intensity between his players, likening it to familial disputes and underlining its importance for team spirit.
"For me, it's perfect," Amorim said, as quoted by the Mirror. "We need to feel something. In this moment, we need to feel something.
"If we need to fight each other, it's like a family, so for me it's a very, very good sign. We need to feel something, and that's important.
"When you don't care, you don't do anything. When you care, you fight with your brother, with your father, with your mother.
"It's a normal thing, it's a positive thing, a healthy thing. I let the players and the captain calm things down, and if I think it's too much, I'll step into the dressing room.
"But it's their space. They have to talk, to fight, and for me, it's a very important thing. I'm happy that we won the game and yet still fought each other – that's a very good thing.
"When you win and you fight with your teammate because you want to score one more, for me, it's a very good day for us."
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United now shift their focus to the highly-anticipated Manchester Derby on Sunday, with Amorim undoubtedly hoping to see the same fiery determination and drive on display at the Etihad Stadium.