Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night with Ruben Amorim now responding to his critics
Manchester United are still recovering from their loss to Everton on Monday night. Ruben Amorim’s squad saw their five-match unbeaten run come to an end against a 10-man Everton at Old Trafford.
An early sending off for Idrissa Gueye following a tussle with his team-mate Michael Keane did not aid United’s efforts. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall managed to put the visitors ahead before half-time and David Moyes’ side clung on to secure a notable three points.
With no European football commitments, Amorim has several days to ponder where his team went wrong. In terms of their aspirations to return to European competition, United currently occupy 10th place in the league but are only three points adrift of a Champions League position.
The club will aim to get back to winning ways this weekend, but they face a challenging trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday. Here, MEN Sport brings you some of the latest headlines surrounding United.
Amorim responds to critics
Amorim has responded to accusations that he is unwilling to alter his tactics. The United manager has been regularly criticised during his tenure for persisting with his favoured back-three formation, with some pundits and sections of fans suggesting that his squad are not ideally suited to such a system.
Earlier this season, Amorim insisted that not even the Pope could persuade him to change his tactics. Yet the United manager has now acknowledged he is prepared to adjust his approach and make tweaks during matches, pointing to the flexible attack he deployed at Sporting CP which frequently saw Viktor Gyokeres take up wide positions.
“We did it against Liverpool, it wasn’t with Bryan Mbeumo, it was with Cunha,” Amorim told DAZN Portugal. “And it’s an option that we have, and nowadays, everyone, I think not only in the English league but in the Portuguese league, in all leagues, there’s a great variation in how things are structured.
“We might say it’s a 4-4-2, but five minutes later it’s a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. And therefore I’m willing to do anything, contrary to what many people think that I’m too fixated on one thing. I simply start with a basic foundation, but obviously, we can use it in the future.”
Triple transfer decision
Manchester United are set to determine whether three emerging talents should go out on loan during the January transfer window. According to the Daily Mail, defender Ayden Heaven will be among those who will be assessed.
The 19-year-old has found playing time limited this season and now faces heightened competition following Lisandro Martinez’s return.
Summer signing Diego Leon could also be set for a loan move away from Old Trafford. The 18-year-old full-back has been included in matchday squads but is yet to make his first team debut and has been linked with heading to Nice on loan.
Sekou Kone is another promising talent who has been tipped for a loan move in January. The 19-year-old midfielder has not featured for the first team so far this season.
