Manchester United showed the glimpses of the formidable club it once was as they almost took three points from Arsenal in a spirited 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim stressed the need for the players to “survive physically” before the game and the players answered his call with a massive effort.
General outsiders like Casemiro, Victor Lindelof, and Christian Eriksen did well to varying degrees after being drafted in, while the ever-dependable Bruno Fernandes shone again.
Despite the great performance, however, the Man Utd manager made an honest admission that this is not the way he wants to play at United going forward, even though one player is at his best in this.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim makes frank Man Utd admission
Despite United creating the majority of chances and high-quality ones at that, they finished the game with just 31% possession.
There was a clear plan to cede possession and territory to Arsenal in spaces from which they couldn’t hurt United, while remaining a threat on transitions.
It worked wonders this game, but Amorim said that it was an adjustment just for this game, not something he wants from his team regularly.
He said: “I think we played well. Of course, we don’t want to play like this, defending so much and leaving the ball to the opponent, but with all the matches, all the problems, and the characteristics of the players, we try to adapt and find a way to win the match. Second half much better.
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“When you coach Man Utd you cannot play too much like that. The aim is to win the game.”
Amorim says Casemiro flourishes in this system
Amorim has long stressed that it’s not the system but the philosophy that makes all the difference and that was clear to see with Casemiro against Arsenal.
Playing in a low block with plenty of players around him, the Brazilian looked to do what he does best – mop up attacks and start counter-attacks.
Amorim said after the game that giving Casemiro lack of space to cover sees him flourish, but that’s something that can’t be allowed to happen at United, as said above.
Amorim said: “Casemiro is comfortable in these types of games, less spaces to cover. It’s also the opponent. They are harder to mark, in the low block we can control.
“We must have more possession, more control, press higher up. In the future, I want to play a different kind of football, spend more time attacking than defending with a low block.”
Making the transition away from playing counterattacking football has been the doom of previous Man Utd managers so it’s good that Amorim arrived with a clear plan and implemented it immediately.
Growing pains were expected and they’ve come but he’s not losing sight of the big picture based on one positive performance and result. Even if it comes at the cost of some of his current players.