In the wake of his first victory at the head of Manchester United (3-2), Thursday in the Europa League against Bodo/Glimt, Ruben Amorim experienced a second meeting in a row at Old Trafford for a first personal success in the Premier League, Sunday when Everton came (4-0). The Red Devils have been doing a little better in recent weeks and are back in 9th position, four points from the top 4 currently (Brighton are 4th in the standings). And this, before a crucial clash against Arsenal, next Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium!
For his third match at the helm of Man United, Ruben Amorim was able to refine his favorite 3-4-2-1, a device which therefore makes it possible to place two axial offensive players behind the center forward and give carte blanche to both pistons to take the corridors. In this little game, one player makes significant differences: Amad Diallo. The 22-year-old Ivorian winger is an untenable right winger in the offensive phase but is also an impressive counter-attacker in offensive transition. He was incredible against the Toffees.
United unwind
After Marcus Rashford (41st) opened the scoring with a shot blocked from a Bruno Fernandes corner, Joshua Zirkzee, the number 9 of the day (after Rasmus Hojlund on Thursday), doubled the lead before half-time at following a ball recovery from Amad (41st). Diallo then offered himself a double of assists in the second half, launching Marcus Rashford deep for the 3-0 after returning from the locker room (46th) and serving Zirkzee for the 4th (64th). The Abidjan native (who grew up in Italy and trained at Atalanta) is five assists in PL.
The Mancunians’ second period was spoiled by the two warnings received by Kobbie Mainoo (49th) and Lisandro Martinez (51st) which deprived them of the clash against the Gunners. Amorim will have to do without Lisandro who is undoubtedly their best defender and should play Luke Shaw to the left of Mathis De Ligt. In midfield, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte will likely be combined to physically respond to Mikel Arteta’s talented players.
