Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been criticised for his decision-making on the opening-day defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Portuguese manager gave Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo their debuts from the start, and the attacking duo impressed on their Old Trafford bow, especially the Brazilian who looked absolutely electric.
But sadly for the Red Devils, they weren’t able to find the back of the net, as David Raya was superb between the sticks. On the contrary, Altay Bayindir committed a howler in the 13th minute when he wasn’t able to properly clear an Arsenal corner kick, which gifted Riccardo Calafiori an easy tap-in. The Italian defender’s goal was the only difference between the two sides.
Ruben Amorim blasted for his choices as Man Utd lose to Arsenal
After the contest, the Man United faithful voiced their appreciation for the players who certainly didn’t deserve to come out empty-handed.
However, former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison wasn’t impressed with Amorim’s substitutions.
The manager started with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the double pivot, before taking off the Brazilian veteran for Manuel Ugarte.
Should Kobbie Mainoo be ahead of Manuel Ugarte in the pecking order?
Morisson wasn’t impressed with the Uruguay international, insisting that Kobbie Mainoo should have come on ahead of his teammate.
“Why are you making a challenge when you know you have got no chance of getting there?” said the BBC pundit when commenting on a late challenge from Ugarte.
“It has been a terrible substitution, bringing on Manuel Ugarte. Kobbie Mainoo should be ahead of Ugarte.”
The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder also scuffed an opportunity to equalise in the 88th minute when he decided to go for goal himself from long range, despite the best pleas of the fans in the Stretford End
“He couldn’t shoot from there and the Stretford End thought the same.” noted Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
Can only agree.
Also bringing on Maguire meant long ball after long ball. I can’t understand why Utd insist on punting every free kick into the box. Bruno never puts the ball on anyone’s head…have we ever scored from his free kicks? Ever???
YES, YOU HAVE VERY SHORT MEMORIES !!
Well, start this season again with a defeat in the hands of Arsenal. Our performance was not too bad though, but Amorin should have started the game with a point man. Instead of playing a pointless attack.
Our loss regardless, I still maintain my position that we’ll finish in the top three.
I’m not too keen in bringing a new midfielder, we can do with what we have in the team.
Not to bad? It was excellent.
I WOULD SAY TOP 5 .WE NEED CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD GOAL KEEPER. THEY ARE ALL NOT GOOD ENOUGH. ALSO WE CAN DO WITH A MIDFIELD PLAYER. AMORIM KNOWS WHAT WE NEED, BYT WE HAVE TO GET RID OF SOME PLAYERS, BEFORE WE CAN BUY . TRANSFER WINDOW HAS NOT GOT LONG TO SHUT.
I agree with you
Amorim tactics may not work in epl, all I saw in the game was confused no. 10’s as usual with unmarked Dorgu not making a difference, that wing needs a skillful LM who will instill fear on defenders. My issue with Amorim is not even his system but being stubborn to change.
And how many trophy’s have Morrison & Neville won as Manager’s?
That game was a game of 2 keeper’s, and 2 refereeing decisions!
1 goalkeeper pulling of several game changing saves, and the Other who should be far more agressive, but saying that, The referee allowed Saliba to practically pull the shirt of Mounts back while bumping into Bayindir, preventing him from punching the ball away better, but the referee let on he didn’t see that and then late on he also denied Utd a penalty, simple decision, Saliba booting Cunhas foot from behind causing him to go over, but not given, how did var not see it?
Its pretty obvious on the internet, Or did they just decide along with the ref to not give it?
New keeper and a decent central midfielder and we will be pushing higher up the league, but given the fixtures it will be very hard in these next few weeks.
Seriously people, this is Clinton Morrison offering his criticism. Yikes.
Yes we can make do with our midfield, but we need a good Goalkeeper to make it to Europe this season.
We only lost to a goalkeeping error. Otherwise United had this game under their control and Raya saved the day for Arsenal. Plenty of pro.ise here for a good season and back in Europe next year.
I agree with you 💯
Why not try tom heaton onana self is another problem entirely who even bought this players sef
Am I the only one that thinks that goalkeepers are protected, until it comes to arsenal.
They had the most goalkeeper & defender infringement goals of the previous season. They can thank the jokes called refs & Vars for the, I looked at another game at the time
Spirited game though, I enjoyed it immensely.
that’s the best start for years, arsenal are the finished product, fighting the the title and they were lucky to beat a still incomplete Man Utd with their best players
…United are going to score a shi*load this season
MU played better last night but only problem is RA selection of his players. Players like Dalot , Ugarte , Mount and Altay should be the first eleven. They can play with other team but team like Arsenal , MC ,Chelsea & Liverpool. As for Amad is good but sometimes selfish & as wing back should sent the ball in the box so the other collegues could head home. Now MU have Sesko.But the problem is that the head coach RA still think like Mount is better.What the use to buy expensive p[ayer if still not confidence with him. Play Sesko with Cunha and Mbeumo upfront full times maybe we can see good result.For the Sesko if no one feed him , he can’t score too. Teamwork is what we needed as a team but not trying to score and get name. Can score but see the timing too. RA also say Good Performance but what is it use if scores not being achieved. We need to win. Next game RA must be wise to select players and if MU were to lose vs Fulham, its time RA head coach should go/sack.
Our Defense played well. We need a good goalkeeper to restore confidence.
Amad is always dangerous one on one an should be played and dalot benched
Maguire should have played instead of Shaw as the arsenal lads were big and we were getting bullied in the corner kicks. Sesko and Maguire together would have given arsenal some nightmares with the high balls on the opponents side
I think if Mainoo wants to be on that bus for England’s World Cup squad he needs to find a new club.
Amorim doesn’t like him for some reason, and this is not good for him. He needs to find a club where he plays all the time, and can show that he is a very good midfielder in a different system.
The goalkeeper was the difference in the game yesterday with Raya awarded Motm. and Bayinder awarded the “New Guts” trophy. Why Amorim didn’t play Heaton when everyone knows the 2 keepers we have wouldn’t hold onto their wage packet, is beyond me.
I agree about Mainoo. Amorim should build the team around him, but he can only really fit him in if he plays 3 midfield and 4 at the back. I think that suits the players we have much better.
I could not find room for Mount in my team. Talented player but I don’t understand what his role is. Useful sub I suppose along with Amad and Zirkzee.
At worst, United should have walked with at least one point. They dominated an Arsenal side picked to compete for the title. One play (keeper error? foul? combination of the 2?) was the difference. 22-9 in shots! Nearly 2/3 possession! The better team on this day didn’t win but that’s futbol, it happens sometimes. It’s over but anyone complaining about the United performance, or Amorim, is just flat out stupid. While the result was indeed another loss, the performance was better than anything Old Trafford has seen in years. ‘If’ United can continue playing at this level, it’s going to be a fun and rewarding season.
I have to say Arteta did a very good job at Arsenal from day 1, at teaching them dirty tactics!