Ruben Amorim defended his decision to heavily rotate his Manchester United side for a third game running at Arsenal as he navigates a hectic start to his reign. Matches are coming thick and fast as Amorim attempts to get to grips with his new squad by offering as many players minutes as he can, no matter the fixture.
The Portuguese head coach has used 21 different players across his first four games at the club, part rotation yet part trial and error in a new 3-4-3 system.
Amad, Marcus Rashford, and Joshua Zirkzee's heroics guided United to a 4-0 rout over Everton in Amorim's first Premier League win on Sunday.
Yet, all three were among the six stars excluded at the Emirates Stadium last night, while Tyrell Malacia made his first league start since May 2023.
United lost 2-0 through two corner goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba - Arsenal's sixth and seventh strikes from set pieces this season.
Amorim's first defeat as the Red Devils' boss leaves them 11th in the Premier League, seven points off the top four.
But he defended his decision to continue shuffling his pack in north London, pointing out that many of his players aren't yet ready to complete full matches.
"It's not because I like to change all the time but because I like to have all the squad fit," Amorim explained after the 2-0 defeat.
"So, for example, Harry Maguire has a time limit, Tyrell Malacia has a time limit, Mason Mount has a time limit, Leny Yoro has a real time limit.
"So we have to manage winning games, a different methodology, a different way of playing, more meters to press.
"Tomorrow, we have to assess the guys, and [if] they have a little bit of risk of injury, they will not play. So we have to have everyone to work, to play and to improve the squad."
United face nine games across four different competitions in less than 40 days across the winter period, six of them away from home.
Amorim must quickly improve the Old Trafford giants' recent record in away matches against the Premier League's elite.
Manchester City await at the Etihad Stadium next weekend before a Carabao Cup quarter-final at Tottenham, a trip to Liverpool in the league and a return to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.
However, his immediate focus will be on Nottingham Forest, who visit M16 on Saturday on the back of three defeats in their last four outings. United could propel up to sixth with a victory.