There were a few contentious decisions made by the Manchester United manager in the defeat to Arsenal and one of them absolutely cannot be repeated.
United players celebrate against Bournemouth in pre-season
When the Manchester United teamsheet dropped at 3.15pm on Sunday, a fair few jaws dropped with it.
The decision not to start with an out-and-out striker, with Mason Mount asked to provide a focal point for United's new-look attack, instantly looked dubious. But with Benjamin Sesko still settling in and Ruben Amorim experimenting with a false nine in pre-season, it wasn't really a shock.
Amorim had refused to confirm whether Andre Onana would return in goal at his pre-match press conference just two days earlier, and so Altay's Bayindir's inclusion wasn't necessarily a shock either, as costly as that call proved to be.
The third contentious call was in midfield, but with Casemiro having started United's biggest game in decades just months earlier and Manuel Ugarte failing to impress on a consistent basis in pre-season, a lot of fans saw it coming.
All three decisions set alarm bells ringing, but with added context they at least looked understandable.
The same cannot be said for Amorim's selection at right wing-back.
As one of only two players to start all five of United's pre-season friendlies, Amad's place in the starting XI against Arsenal was one of the few you could confidently say was nailed on before the team news arrived.
In a season so bereft of bright spots, Amad's emergence was one of the few positives to take from a truly dismal campaign. Having been overlooked for so long, and given the dark clouds hanging over the club for the majority of last season, his drive and ability to give fans something to cling onto last season truly were a testament to his character as much as his quality.
Having carried United for so long last season alongside Bruno Fernandes, new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were meant to provide support for Amad when it came to carrying the attacking burden. Yet instead their inclusion in the starting XI meant Amorim felt he wasn't so dependent on Amad's attacking flair and he opted for the more defensive-minded Diogo Dalot instead.
Dalot didn't do much wrong against Arsenal and he got into some good attacking positions, but he's never going to get fans on their feet like Amad, and the Ivory Coast international injected more energy into the attacks when he was introduced just before the hour mark.
With no European football at Old Trafford this season, United's campaign could be limited to just 40 games, and will definitely be no longer than 51 games. The reduced workload means Amorim can afford to pick his best players week in, week out, in the Premier League at the very least.
Amad absolutely is one of United's best players and shouldn't begin another league game from the bench.
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