Ruben Amorim has made it very clear that rotating the team will be necessary over a busy winter schedule.
Six changes were made to the starting lineup that beat Bodo/Glimt midweek, with Ruben Amorim telling media he wanted “fresh legs” after a high-pressing performance in the Europa League.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee returned as starters and scored twice each as Manchester United beat Everton 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. Amad Diallo was the Man of the Match after returning to the lineup too.
In just three games, Amorim has already given opportunities to every United player – something he believes will improve squad morale and prove that everyone is together.
On Sunday, Amorim also welcomed Kobbie Mainoo back to the starting lineup after he failed to appear against Ipswich Town or Bodo/Glimt.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Dwight McNeil of Everton during the Premier League match between M...
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim admits Kobbie Mainoo was a ‘risk’
In Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, he puts a lot of responsibility on the midfield pairing to race up and down the pitch to join attacks and protect the defence.
Against Everton, it was Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo who started alongside each other, with Manuel Ugarte afforded a rest after his superb display in the Europa League.
MORE UNITED STORIES
United fans were impressed with Mainoo’s display on his return, with the 19-year-old already looking well-suited to Amorim’s style of play.
After the full-time whistle, Amorim admitted that playing Mainoo was a risk.
He told reporters, “We start this job now and have a lot of games. We are changing some details in training.
“The games, the way we play is different, sometimes we have more pressure and cover more distance running. We have a lot of players returning from injury. Kobbie Mainoo was a little bit of a risk because he was supposed to play just 60 minutes.”
Kobbie Mainoo is not available for Man United vs Arsenal
Mainoo ended up playing 80 minutes against the Toffees on Sunday afternoon, but that was likely a decision made by Amorim and his staff following his yellow card.
Four minutes into the second half, Mainoo was booked for bringing down Dwight McNeil.
It means that Mainoo is now suspended for the Arsenal clash with teammate Lisandro Martinez also ruled out after he picked up a fifth booking just minutes later.
Amorim now has some key decisions to make in defence and midfield. Ugarte will be expected to return after resting against Everton, while Luke Shaw has impressed on the left side of the back three. He could replace Martinez at The Emirates.
United face the Gunners on Wednesday afternoon in what will be Amorim’s toughest test so far.
Related Posts