Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth during a training session
Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth during a training session
Bournemouth boss Adoni Iraola has identified how Manchester United have changed under Ruben Amorim, ahead of making the trip to Old Trafford to face the Red Devils.
United appointed Amorim last month after sacking Erik ten Hag in October following sub-par Premier League performances. The Dutchman guided the side to Carabao Cup and FA Cup trophies in his first two seasons, but failed to build upon finishing second in the top-flight in his first term.
Amorim thus far has been unable to lift United from the bottom half of the table, but recorded a statement victory over Manchester City last weekend. The 13-times Premier League champions currently lie in 13th, but just three points behind Bournemouth in fifth.
Cherries boss Iraola has noticed an early difference in the team, with United now preferring to retain possession. However, the Spaniard also believes Amorim has built upon a platform Ten Hag built.
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"I think they are different," said Iraola. "I think they play in a different way, different system, different approach to the games. I think they keep the games more in their control. They’ve raised the possession they have on the ball and they have really good patterns.
"If we allow them to dictate the game and to be the team taking the decisions on the ball, it’s going to be very difficult because I think they are playing very well.
Ruben Amorim after Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Ruben Amorim after Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
"They are conceding very few chances, very few goals, they have very good defensive stats. They already had this with (Erik) ten Hag this season because they’ve signed also new defenders, good defenders, and they’ve improved from past seasons defensively overall and I think they are continuing now."
Bournemouth have already defeated Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham this term, and will hope to claim another scalp on Sunday. After United have shown some vulnerability to set-pieces, against Arsenal in particular, Iraola is hoping to take advantage.
"It’s true that they’ve conceded a good amount of goals from set-plays but I think they have very good defenders and a lot of the goals are very good execution from the opposition," explained the Bournemouth boss.
"I hope we can, as we do every week, prepare well also for set-plays, try to be successful. We are not the tallest of the teams. More the opposite, we are quite a short team, but I think we are having some success in our offensive set-plays.”
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