The Portuguese tactician saw his team receive a reality check at the Emirates Stadium, but there were plenty of positives to take away
Manchester United's return to the elite level has been delayed again. After opening the Ruben Amorim era with a draw and two victories, United came crashing back down to earth again at Arsenal on Wednesday.
The "storm" Amorim warned fans about in the build-up to the game manifested metaphorically and literally at the Emirates Stadium, as the Gunners ruthlessly exploited his side's flaws on a rain-soaked pitch. In the end, United could have no complaints over the 2-0 defeat, which saw them drop back into the Premier League's bottom half.
But the performance was by no means a disgrace. Arsenal did not have everything their own way, and the tension in the air was palpable until Jurrien Timber opened the scoring 10 minutes into the second half.
The United players are clearly buying into Amorim's methods. The Portuguese has stressed the need for patience because he is a realist, which is refreshing after two years of delusional ravings from his predecessor, Erik ten Hag. However, there were more genuine signs of progress in north London, and the next time the two teams meet in the FA Cup in early January, it could be a very different story.
AFP'Controlling the game'
The first 45 minutes at the Emirates delivered very few talking points, with neither team managing a shot on target. United's disciplined approach frustrated Arsenal, and their playmaker-in-chief Martin Odegaard struggled to influence proceedings due to constant pressure from Noussair Mazraoui.
Arsenal had scored 13 goals in their previous three matches, but barely had a sniff as the visitors slowed the game down while also enjoying a large portion of possession. Amorim was pleased to see his 3-4-3 system working again, as he told reporters after the game: "You feel it in the first half, in the environment of the stadium, that we were causing problems. We need to improve in a lot of areas of our game, but we were controlling the game."
The players seemed to be drawing from the passion Amorim exuded from his technical area. He was constantly barking instructions and showed his approval whenever United executed his plan effectively, while also venting his frustration over any mistakes.
AdvertisementAFPSet-pieces the difference
Arsenal don't have to be at their slick best to win games of this magnitude, though. Thanks largely to revered set-piece coach Nico Jover, the Gunners have evolved into the most dangerous team in Europe from corners.
Amorim was well aware of the threat, with United seen running defensive dead-ball drills in the warm-up, but it didn't matter. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both displayed flawless technical ability to consistently deliver the ball into a crowded six-yard box, and Andre Onana simply couldn't cope.
Timber's flicked header from a Rice corner opened the scoring, and William Saliba wrapped up the three points for Arsenal after Saka's wicked ball in from the right bypassed the entire United defence. The Gunners' plan to target Onana paid dividends, as the goalkeeper's reluctance to move off his line and try to claim the ball left his defence in a state of panic.
Arsenal had 13 corners in total, and could easily have scored more. Even with Brazilian commander Gabriel Magalhaes missing through injury, Mikel Arteta's team were superior in the air, much to Amorim's annoyance.
"The set-pieces change everything, the momentum of the game," the United boss admitted to . "We have to understand Arsenal can change games like that. We tried to defend them with two days of training. It’s hard for every team to defend the set-pieces of Arsenal."
Getty Images SportMethod to the madness
Amorim is not afraid to tell it exactly like it is. He doesn't make excuses for bad results and below-par performances, or try to hide the true motivations behind his team selection.
Eyebrows were raised when Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee were named on the bench for the trip to Arsenal. Rashford and Zirkzee had both scored braces in the 4-0 win over Everton three days earlier, while Amad was arguably the best player on the pitch.
There was more confusion when the three attackers were introduced as substitutes at the Emirates before the hour mark, along with teenage centre-half Leny Yoro, who made his first competitive appearance since his summer move from Lille. Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia were all hooked early despite acquitting themselves well in the first half, but there was a method to Amorim's madness.
"In this moment, it is impossible to play with the same team," he said. "They [the players] have to feel they are part of the team, but we are changing the methodology, we are changing a lot of things. We are changing the way we play, the way we press, so we have to have all the players fit. We cannot have injuries in this moment because it will be tough to cope with all the games, so we will manage the way we feel is the better way for the team."
GettyAntithesis of Ten Hag
Amorim is essentially proving to be the antithesis of Ten Hag. United were ravaged by injuries last season because the Dutchman overworked so many key stars. He picked his favourites every week regardless of form or fitness, praying for individual brilliance to deliver wins instead of implementing a proper tactical plan, which ultimately led to the worst Premier League finish in the club's history.
In stark contrast, Amorim is prioritising team spirit and cohesion above everything else. He understands that United are only as good as their weakest link, and is working to build strong relationships across the entire squad so that everyone is on the same page.
Ten Hag is not a manager that players run through walls for; he lacked the charisma needed to affect significant change at Old Trafford. United hit rock bottom under his leadership because mediocrity became acceptable. It never felt like there was a foundation of mutual respect between Ten Hag and his squad, but Amorim it.
