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Ruben Amorim's furious half-time rant at star proves he's everything Man Utd have needed

Ruben Amorim's first defeat as Manchester United boss - his first league loss since 2023 - may not be a memorable one. However, if you look beyond Arsenal's set-piece dominance and delve deeper, you can see the subtle cultural changes he is trying to bring about on the pitch.

After bringing on Amad as a makeshift wing-back at half-time, Amorim was visibly furious on the sidelines when the Ivorian failed to meet his expectations. Amad had been assisting in defending an Arsenal attack when United quickly moved the ball forward in an attempt to create their own opportunity at the other end.

But the in-form winger, who is being utilised on the right side of Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, couldn't keep up with United's counter-attack. As he trailed behind the play on the near touchline, Amorim began shouting wildly at his player, gesturing towards Arsenal's box.

So passionate and animated was Amorim that he even leaned towards Amad, who was only a few metres away, to yell his instructions - it was as if to say, next time, you will make it to the final third and not lag so far behind. In defence of Amad, even Kylian Mbappe at full speed would have struggled to keep up with the pace of United's breakaway.

The failed move certainly heightened the forward's focus and drive, as this is a strategist who demands nothing short of excellence. It's clear that Amorim's invigorating, contagious energy is exactly what United have been lacking, especially among some players, for quite some time.

This is a leader who firmly upholds standards and values and will not accept anything less. Even captain Bruno Fernandes isn't immune to criticism.

When Fernandes carelessly misplaced a curling, lofted pass in the second half, Amorim visibly expressed his frustration. Under Erik ten Hag, United's tendency to give away the ball cheaply became part of their questionable identity when standards plummeted to despairing lows at times.

While United are clearly still finding their feet under Amorim, no one can deny that there is a distinct style of play and it's evident what the Portuguese boss is trying to achieve. Despite winning two trophies, Ten Hag often seemed to be going through the motions, showing tactical weaknesses that were never addressed and fostering an environment where mistakes weren't seen as catastrophic.

Under Amorim, it's unequivocally clear he will strive to get the best out of every player. Those who don't measure up simply won't have a long-term future at Old Trafford.

For a club of United's stature and illustrious history, this level of performance should be the norm, but it has been noticeably absent in recent times. The gifted squad, which has been left deeply disappointed by their inability to challenge their Premier League rivals, has finally found its footing.

Now, it's time for them to step up and deliver.

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