Ruben Amorim looked as if he truly felt the toughness of the Premier League during Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Both Arsenal and Manchester United were missing a few key players for the clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta was without Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori owing to knocks, and Amorim was already well aware that he needed to plan for the game without suspended duo Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez.
In addition, Amorim saw fit to make several other changes to his team, experimenting with a few ideas and also managing minutes during a busy period.
In truth, United’s back three or five stifled Arsenal in open play, but the away side weren’t equipped to deal with Nicolas Jover’s set-pieces.
Corners proved to be the difference for Arsenal, with both Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the net during the chaos that ensued after every delivery into the box.
That being said, in an interview with BBC MOTD shortly after his first defeat as United boss, Amorim spoke about Arsenal’s set-pieces, saying it was ‘impossible’ for his side at times.
Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's first goal with a header as Andre Onana of Manchester United fails to make a saveduring the Premier Lea...
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
READ MORE: I failed a trial at Manchester United but am now the 11th most valuable player in Europe
Amorim said: “The set pieces changed the game. We could’ve been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box.
“Until the set pieces the game didn’t have too many opportunities for both sides, the set pieces killed the game.
“They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper and it’s almost impossible to fight for the ball but we have to manage to defend them and we already know we have to be better.
“We were committed and we lost to the set pieces. If Matthijs [de Ligt] can score in that moment the momentum would be different.
“We tried to play but they are a very organised team and it’s hard to score. I felt the players were in control of the game, the set pieces changed the game in the second half.”
Andre Onana needs to improve quickly under Ruben Amorim
From the De Ligt chance Amorim mentioned, David Raya produced a stunning save to maintain Arsenal’s clean sheet.
However, at the other end of the pitch, Andre Onana was pinned to his line when Arsenal were causing mayhem from corners.
Onana produced some good punches in the first half, and plucked one delivery out of the air very well.
But when Arsenal really began to put United’s defence under pressure, it felt as if Onana went missing.
Amorim warned that there would be plenty of learning ahead, and this is one of those moments, one that Onana in particular will improve from.
That being said, one Arsenal player made a real statement to Arteta during the home side’s 2-0 win.
Related Posts