Manchester United secured an important win over Liverpool in the Premier Leagueplaceholder image
Manchester United secured an important win over Liverpool in the Premier League | Getty Images
Man United were fully deserving of their win over Liverpool with Ruben Amorim coming out on top over Arne Slot.
The Premier League table might have Manchester United languishing outside the European places despite only three points separating Ruben Amorim’s side from the team in second.
That there is only a six point gap to first is cause for encouragement even if United need to walk before they can run in terms of winning consecutive games. Harry Maguire was immense against Liverpool, but he was also embarrassed at how long it has taken to win two games in a row and confidence will only grow once consistency can be achieved. The ceiling under Amorim has been high in terms of one-off results, now they need to back it up.
Ruben Amorim outsmarts Arne Slot with Man Utd tactics
Against Liverpool, Amorim got his tactics perfect. Slot went as far as to admit that the Red Devils boss’ game plan threw him and wasn’t what they had expected or prepared for. It was an occasion when United had players playing in their best and most natural positions where they could cause the opposition problems. The blossoming partnership of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo is one to be encouraged about and it is no coincidence that United’s most experienced line-up of the season put in one of the best performances.
Amorim was one step ahead of Slot with his team selection and another step ahead with how he wanted his team to play. United went direct, but it wasn’t with the intention of gaining territory with the first pass, instead, it was about catching Liverpool out.
What did Jamie Carragher say about Amorim’s tactics?
"Ruben Amorim got his tactics spot on at Anfield," said Carragher while analysing the game. “It's not just about going long; he didn't pick [Benjamin] Sesko, he picked [Matheus] Cunha to be under the ball.
"The important thing to notice is how narrow the players are, it's not about going long, it's about picking up the second ball. It was all about picking up the second ball. Look how narrow the five players are. That's where the first goal comes from. The tactic of going long was spot on."
One of Amorim’s biggest problems since taking the United job has been consistency; of results, team selection, player availability and game plan. Because of this, he doesn’t have an XI to fall back on, one that he can trust to get the job done. He does now.
Continue Reading