Amorim should consider leaving out the Manchester United player who has now turned into a significant issue. The player’s performance and impact have raised substantial concerns, making it crucial for Amorim to rethink his role in the team to ensure future success.
Ruben Amorim, newly appointed as Manchester United’s head coach last month, faces a crucial challenge as he prepares his team for his first Manchester derby. On Sunday, he leads the Red Devils to the Etihad Stadium in what promises to be a pivotal clash against their city rivals. The 39-year-old manager is eager to secure his second Premier League victory, following a rocky start that included back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest last week.
Amorim’s only Premier League win came on December 1st, when United delivered a commanding performance against Everton. A similar showing will be essential if the team is to overcome their recent inconsistencies. Although the Red Devils managed a midweek Europa League win with a 2-1 result over Viktoria Plzen, the lackluster performance left much to be desired, failing to showcase the sharpness the manager expects from his squad.
Derby days, however, are notorious for defying expectations. Form and statistics often lose their significance in these high-stakes encounters, and Manchester United fans are hoping this unpredictability works in their favor. Still, recent results paint a troubling picture, with United conceding an aggregate scoreline of 13-5 in their last two league matches. Amorim is undoubtedly determined to make a strong statement by rectifying this trend against City, often referred to as the “noisy neighbors.”
History offers some encouragement for the visitors. In the past five matchups between the two sides, United has tasted victory twice, including a memorable 2-0 win in 2021, where goals from Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes ended City’s 28-game unbeaten streak. Repeating such a feat would go a long way in cementing Amorim’s status among the fanbase. However, to achieve this, he must make bold decisions, including rethinking his starting lineup.
One significant decision Amorim faces is whether to drop Marcus Rashford, who has struggled to meet expectations in recent matches. Despite scoring three goals since Amorim’s arrival, Rashford has failed to influence games consistently. His lackluster performance in the Europa League on Thursday, where he played just 56 minutes without registering a single shot, exemplified his current struggles. His apparent lack of energy and engagement led journalist Liam Canning to describe him as a “major, major problem.”
In contrast, Rasmus Hojlund has shown promise, even scoring the winning goal against Viktoria Plzen after replacing Rashford. Giving Hojlund a starting opportunity in the derby could inject fresh energy and dynamism into the attack. For a match as emotionally charged as this one, where local pride and bragging rights are at stake, Amorim cannot afford to field players who are out of form.
Ultimately, the Manchester derby represents a defining moment for Ruben Amorim. To steer his team toward victory and secure a statement win against City, he must make tough choices, including dropping Rashford in favor of more in-form players like Hojlund. The manager’s decisions could shape not only the outcome of the game but also his early legacy at Old Trafford.
