Lisandro Martinez has complimented Ruben Amorim for his "intensity" and Rasmus Hojlund agrees that you can see the "passion and fight" inside Manchester United's head coach.

Amorim was appointed from Sporting Lisbon in November and there have been glimmers of progress on the pitch in his new system, despite results continuing to be poor.

The 39-year-old has spoken well during a difficult period for the club and Martinez praised his "intensity and energy" in an interview last month. The defender also spoke after the weekend's draw against Liverpool and he emphasised he believes "a lot" in Amorim and his staff.

READ MORE: Rasmus Hojlund breaks silence on set-piece weakness ahead of Manchester United vs Arsenal

READ MORE: Man United will play with special FA Cup ball against Arsenal - days after Mikel Arteta complaint

Hojlund was interviewed by club media this week and he was asked whether he agreed with Martinez. "It's very nice to have a manager like that, you can see the passion and fight inside of him and he gives a lot of freedom to his players, but it's a very good balance," Hojlund said.

"It's still very early days and our results haven't been good recently but it's about where we will be and I think if we keep going like this, we are on a rough path, but you have to get over that period and then start seeing a response. It's important to start winning to give some confidence."

United are looking to build on their draw at Anfield against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round this weekend and Hojlund reflected on last season's successful campaign in the competition.

Manchester City were stunned by goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo in the final at Wembley, but United came close to crashing out in the semi-finals against Coventry.

"Obviously the game [Coventry] was not the best but in the end it was part of the story that we write for the win and getting through there was very important," said Hojlund.

"On a very rumbly season, I remember us being very focussed and very ready for that game [FA Cup final]. You could see that from the first moment the whistle blew and it was two special goals from special players. The second half always gets a bit.... It was about winning.

"They were pressing on, so we defended well and got there in the end. My mother and father were celebrating with me and I gave my father my medal to wear that night. We'll try to win more."

United will take on Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.