Ruben Amorim has faced constant criticism this season but a monumental win over Liverpool helped relieve the pressure over his future.
During Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on the weekend, Ruben Amorim made history and ended a run of nine years without victory at Anfield.
Amorim’s tactical game plan was perfect, and suddenly the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation has gone quiet after a huge result on Merseyside.
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Even before kick-off, Amorim gained an advantage over Arne Slot, making some bold selection decisions that worked brilliantly.
Ruben Amorim managed the game brilliantly in a hostile environment, and he deserves praise for his substitutions.
Senne Lammens embraces Leny Yoro during Manchester United vs Sunderland.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Gary Neville was wrong about Ruben Amorim’s substitutions
After an underwhelming start to the season, United were picked apart, and United legend Gary Neville said Amorim’s substitutions made him look ‘stupid’
In particular, Neville wasn’t impressed by Amorim’s decision to keep changing his defence. Via Sky Sports, he said: “He changes his back three and his back five every single game. And the performances and the results are just unacceptable. So I’m really, really worried.”
Neville is right, Amorim does tend to make changes to his back line often throughout matches, and he stuck to that trend at Anfield.
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In the 85th minute, just after Harry Maguire’s winning goal, Amorim made the decision to bring Leny Yoro off the bench to replace Luke Shaw.
Yoro came in and defended United’s box brilliantly, including winning a vital header against Virgil van Dijk.
Bruno Fernandes raves about Leny Yoro display vs Liverpool
Yoro had a hugely important job keeping Liverpool out in the final minutes of Sunday’s match.
Amorim leaned towards starting more experienced players, with Matthijs de Ligt joining Maguire and Shaw in the back three.
But the Portuguese head coach showed complete faith in Yoro to help manage the game and halt Liverpool in their pursuit for an equaliser.
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The day after the Anfield victory, Bruno Fernandes raved about Yoro’s display, picking him out as one of the most important players in the win.
“Leny! Leny was very important when he came on,” Fernandes pointed out after being asked for his Man of the Match.