The start of Ruben Amorim’s era at Manchester United had fans buzzing with excitement, but the new head coach knew to stay grounded.
As much as the victories against Bodo/Glimt and Everton may have lifted spirits, Amorim was aware that tougher challenges lay ahead—and on Wednesday night, he faced one.
United suffered a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at a rainy Emirates Stadium, and the performance highlighted several areas in need of improvement.
Amorim’s Vision Takes Shape, But More Is Needed
From the beginning, Amorim’s vision for Manchester United was clear.
He promised fans that they would see an idea take shape, even if it wasn’t always what they expected.
Against Arsenal, that idea was evident, though it wasn’t enough to secure a positive result.
The team struggled to get going offensively. They had only six touches in Arsenal’s box, no corners, and just two shots on target in 94 minutes.
Rasmus Højlund, the lone striker, was isolated and barely involved, making just 20 touches throughout the match.
While the defensive shape was solid early on, United lacked creativity in attack.
This was the result of a system that Amorim had been gradually instilling, but without the necessary players to execute it fully.
“There’s a good structure, but we need to be more aggressive and have better ideas in the final third,” Amorim reflected after the game.
He knows the team is still a work in progress, and it will take time to implement his vision completely.
Leny Yoro Impresses Despite Defeat
Despite the defeat, there was one bright spot for United: Leny Yoro.
The 19-year-old defender, who joined from Lille in the summer, made a memorable Premier League debut against Arsenal after recovering from a foot injury.
His 31-minute cameo was enough to catch the eye, especially for a player still adjusting to the Premier League.
Amorim was quick to praise Yoro’s talent and speed, noting that he handled one-on-one situations well, even in such a challenging environment.
Yoro’s performance—completing 12 out of 14 passes and winning 4 out of 5 duels—suggests that the young defender has a promising future at United.
As Amorim carefully manages his minutes early on, it’s clear that Yoro is a player to watch.
United Must Address Set-Piece Woes
Set pieces were a key factor in Arsenal’s victory, and they’ve been a significant issue for United this season.
With six goals conceded from set pieces already, United ranks among the worst in the league.
Under Amorim, the team has introduced set-piece drills during warm-ups, a strategy he picked up during his time at Sporting CP.
Arsenal, by contrast, is one of the best at capitalizing on set pieces, scoring 27 goals from them since the start of last season.
United must follow Arsenal’s lead and become a greater threat from set pieces.
With players like Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, United have the height and strength to be dangerous in this area, but they need more variety and creativity to unlock the potential.
Mason Mount Faces Mounting Pressure
Mason Mount’s struggles at United continue, and the pressure is beginning to grow.
Despite being deployed in a No 10 role, Mount had little impact in the loss to Arsenal.
He made just 15 touches in 59 minutes and failed to create a single chance.
His form since joining from Chelsea has been underwhelming, and while Amorim has publicly backed him, the midfielder needs to step up soon.
Amorim believes in Mount’s talent, citing his hard work and European championship pedigree, but time is running out for the England international to make a meaningful contribution.
If his form doesn’t improve, his role at United could be in jeopardy.
Amad Diallo Deserves a Starting Spot
One of the biggest questions coming out of this match is why Amad Diallo wasn’t in the starting lineup.
The Ivorian winger has been one of United’s standout players under Amorim, yet he was left on the bench for the trip to Arsenal.
Amad’s performances in recent weeks have been excellent, including assists in previous games against Ipswich and Everton.
Amorim had previously spoken about Amad’s unique qualities, particularly his speed and ability to cut inside from the right-wing-back position.
However, his absence from the starting XI in a crucial match like this was a puzzling decision.
Given his recent form, it’s clear that Amad should be a guaranteed starter moving forward.
The Road Ahead for Amorim and United
As Amorim settles into his role, Manchester United is still in the process of adapting to his methods.
There are clear signs of progress, but the team remains far from the finished article.
Amorim will need to strengthen his squad, particularly in attack, to help his vision come to life.
With young talents like Yoro emerging and players like Amad continuing to impress, there is potential for improvement.
However, it’s clear that the road ahead will be challenging, and Amorim’s ability to navigate those challenges will determine United’s success under his guidance.
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