Manchester United got a reality check about how far they still need to go to compete with the elites of the league as they lost 2-0 at Arsenal.
After an encouraging shutdown job with the ball in the first half, Ruben Amorim’s team got swept with the momentum of the game as every Arsenal corner looked like a goal.
Amorim identified what needs to improve after the game and the focus will be on a better performance when this fixture takes place again in the FA Cup in January.
In a game where almost everyone, especially in the attack, struggled immensely to stitch together a passage of play, Ian Wright and Gary Neville were blown away by one ‘outstanding’ Man Utd player.
Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal controls the ball whilst under pressure from Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the Premier League match between...
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Ian Wright and Gary Neville laud Amad
When the teamsheet dropped for the game, it was the full Ruben Amorim experience as the Man Utd manager stuck to his guns by rotating heavily.
Six changes were made to the side that blew away Everton and both goalscorers from the game, Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford were sat on the bench.
Amad, who stole the show vs Everton, was also on the bench in a decision that caused many raised eyebrows.
Hindsight is 20/20 but after watching Amad’s superb cameo off the bench in extremely difficult circumstances, Gary Neville and Ian Wright sang his praises on The Overlap.
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“That guy [Amad] frightens me to death!” said Wright, to which Neville replied, “Amad has been the best player at Man Utd for the last few weeks. He has been outstanding!”
Amad was his usual livewire self after coming on for Tyrell Malacia at half-time, fashioning some chances through sheer will and determination combined with his trickery.
It made Amorim’s decision to rest him for this game a confusing one for both Wright and Neville.
Wright and Neville on Ruben Amorim not starting Amad vs Arsenal
With a home game against Nottingham Forest followed by a trip to Viktoria Plzen in the next two games, it was inarguable that this was their biggest game of this stretch.
Therefore, dropping Amad for this game, especially since he wasn’t among the players under a minutes restriction, was questionable.
His performance after coming on only strengthened those questions and Wright and Neville were absolutely flabbergasted.
“I can’t believe they didn’t start him! He worries me but what are they doing getting Mason Mount on?” said Wright and Neville agreed in response.
Amad will probably start vs Nottingham Forest now and Amorim has stuck to his guns regarding his rotation policy which has been vindicated in pretty much all three games so far.
He will put this one down as a learning experience!
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