Ruben Amorim's astute tactical decisions and substitutions proved crucial in Manchester United's victory over Arsenal in a penalty shootout after a thrilling draw. His measured approach contrasts with Arteta's emotional displays, highlighting Amorim's growing influence at United.
There was a welcome party for Manchester United even when they landed at Manchester Airport just before 10pm last night. It was a school night but some parents still allowed their children to stay up and brave the chill to catch a glimpse of the players returning to their vehicles. None of them stopped. Ruben Amorim did. The fans asked Amorim why the players drove on. They were very tired, Amorim stressed, and needed to sleep ahead of Southampton's visit on Thursday.
Immediately turning to the next one is a trait Sir Alex Ferguson practically pioneered. Amorim is demonstrating his United managerial credentials every week. Southampton are bound for the Championship and could be remembered as the worst team in the Premier League era. Any notion that United will underestimate them has already been dispelled by Amorim. They will have been on his mind on the coach that left the Emirates Stadium, on the short flight and the shorter drive to his home. For the first time in weeks, United will go into a game expected to win. That is a baby step and with it comes added pressure. This team has performed superbly in contrasting circumstances at two of the most testing grounds on the continent. They daren't ease up against a club slowly plunging into the relegation quicksands. The 7,956 United followers who were in the expanded away end at the Emirates Stadium had much to celebrate beyond the penalty shootout triumph on their journeys home over cans of beer. Altay Bayindir and Joshua Zirkzee's comebacks, Matthijs de Ligt's best performance, Harry Maguire's remarkable recovery, Manuel Ugarte's truculence, Toby Collyer's industry, Amad's impact. Amorim managed an onerous situation flawlessly after Diogo Dalot was sent off. Amad, United's player of the season, did not cross the white line until the final ten minutes - 20 minutes later than intended. He was ready to come on immediately after Dalot headed down the tunnel. Arsenal swiftly equalised with Amad stood on the touchline and the fourth official prepared to signal the change. Amad soon sat back down. When he eventually emerged in the 81st minute, he was flanked by Zirkzee and Collyer. Arsenal had squandered presentable opportunities to go ahead and Amorim countered their dwindling momentum with three forward-thinking changes. Amad and Zirkzee collaborated for two sighters at goal for the latter. Collyer, significantly picked over Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, pressed. Come full-time, Arsenal had been sapped of belief partly through Amorim's first three changes. The timing of Tyrell Malacia's entrance was well-judged. Amorim was able to address the United players for a third team talk ahead of extra time and the clean break enabled them to readjust seamlessly even with a left back on for a central midfielder. Fernandes' durability and versatility was utilised as he slotted into a deeper role, with the onus reduced on him to fashion counter attacks. That was now Amad's remit. Leny Yoro had the benefit of a few minutes at the end of the first half of extra time to steel himself for the final 15 minutes of the 120. His athleticism was especially crucial as Amorim moved Lisandro Martinez up front to give United greater height to offset Maguire's absence. Maguire missed two training sessions last week through illness but still managed 104 minutes, excluding added time, at the Emirates. United became more vulnerable at set pieces after his scheduled substitution in the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League last month. Lesson learnt. The choice and timing of all five substitutions was strategically sound. Three of the substitutes - Amad, Yoro and Zirkzee - converted penalties in the shootout. Amorim magnanimously thanked his coaching staff members Carlos Fernandes, Andreas Georgson and Emanuel Ferro. 'I had the feeling we were going to win but is not my part, the set pieces is not my part and today we were amazing at set pieces. 'Carlos was really good, Andreas was really good and Manuel was really good. And they chose the right players to score the penalties, was not my part, it was them. They did a very good job.' Amorim has now defeated Mikel Arteta twice on penalty shootouts at the Emirates after his teams were reduced to ten men. Ugarte was dismissed when Sporting triumphed in the Europa League round-of-16 in 2023. Arteta is overemotional on the touchline whereas Amorim, while proactive, is measured. He barely flinched amid the wretched refereeing from Andrew Madley on Sunday. Some members of the United coaching staff did. They were on their feet and with their arms outstretched in disbelief. If ever Amorim was vexed, it was with his own players. He spent the best part of a minute urging the players to switch the ball to Noussair Mazraoui. When the pass was eventually played, it was by his trusted lieutenant Ugarte. Ugarte was driven home, as always, by his fellow Latino Martinez. At least one of them could put their feet up
AMORIM UNITED ARSENAL PENALTY SHOOTOUT TACTICS
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