Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Manchester United's trip to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night will be the first test of how Ruben Amorim's system looks with less possession.
United enjoyed a good first week with Amorim in the dugout as victories over Bodo/Glimt and Everton and a draw away at Ipswich Town steadied the ship at Old Trafford. The four points in the Premier League has moved United back into the top half of the table and they now sit just four points behind Brighton and Hove Albion in the final Champions League spot.
However, the trip to Arsenal will be fundamentally different to any test which United have faced so far this season. The Gunners have won all three matches since domestic football returned after the international break and have scored five goals in both of their last two games.
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Ahead of the big game on Wednesday, Wright told Optus Sport that United's good start under Amorim is set to be truly tested. "With Manchester United and as good as it is for them at the minute, [drawing to] Ipswich and [beating] Everton, Amorim will know this is a different kettle of fish with Arsenal," he explained.
"It’s a game Arsenal have to win. I think it’s a free hit for Manchester United with their improvement.
"I do believe against Ipswich and Everton that Manchester United had a lot of the ball and they looked different with the ball, they had a lot of it. It’s going to be interesting to see what they look like without the ball against Arsenal, out of possession.
"If that kicks in then they’re going to be a problem." Against Ipswich and Everton, United had 60 per cent of the ball while this rose to a whopping 73 per cent at home to Bodo/Glimt.
Like United, Arsenal tend to want more of the ball in matches so the battle for possession could be a deciding factor on Wednesday night.