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Ruben Amorim’s bravery earns Manchester United derby delight – Weekly Takeaway

Pep Guardiola Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim’s bravery earned Manchester United derby day delight at Manchester City.

Despite Amad Diallo getting the headlines and all the praise in the media, and deservedly so, it was Ruben Amorim’s bravery that was the standout for me after Manchester United’s late comeback win in the derby over rivals Manchester City.

United were 1-0 down after 87 minutes at the Etihad Stadium when Amad won a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes calmly slotted away before Amad went and netted the winner only 115 seconds later.

It was poetic really, given City’s circumstances. Amad was arguably United’s best player even before the two late goals, but a few magical moments in the dying minutes capped off a Man of the Match display from the young Ivorian.

However, it was Ruben Amorim’s fearlessness in both his tactical set-up and his decision making that was the talking point both pre and post-match. The manager made a big call to leave out both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the matchday squad, something that fans are definitely not used to seeing, especially in a big away game. Amorim explained that they were dropped due to selection, rather than an illness or injury concern.

In recent years, United supporters have complained that no matter what form certain players are in, they always seem to find a way into the starting eleven, whether that be Rashford, Fernandes or someone else, but Amorim has come straight in and got rid of that idea almost immediately. He has rotated every game and used all five substitutes available in every single game. Very refreshing to see, considering how little rotation there was under Erik Ten Hag.

If United had gone to City and lost, no doubt fans and pundits would have labelled the decision as a very poor one, but nobody can question it when it works. The main thing is, he has come in and done what he believes is right, and showing the players that nobody is safe and they need to continue to fight for their place every single week. The standards at the club need to be raised, which is something else that Amorim has addressed in recent days, and this was certainly a big way to start. It will be interesting to see what happens now with Rashford and Garnacho in the games over the Christmas period, as Amorim said ‘New week, new life’, meaning they will both have to work hard in training to force their way back into the eleven.

It wasn’t only the lineup selection that was bold from the charismatic head coach, but also the way United set up in a big away game, as to outsiders it could have looked like a late smash and grab, but it was far from it, with United deserving the win. Although both sides had 10 shots, United had a few big chances and should have had a penalty before they eventually did get one for Matheus Nunes’ foul with a few minutes to go. Even the goal City scored was another poor goal for United to concede, and another set-piece, meaning 42% of United’s goals conceded this season have come from corners. Something that will need to be worked on, but a lot of positives to take and a massive win.

Amorim became the first United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his first Manchester derby, and what a way to do it. Another big away game awaits United, who travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final.

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