Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat as Manchester United manager in a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.
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The Gunners capitalized on expertly crafted corner routines, leaving United to grapple with squad fitness challenges.
Key Players Limited by Fitness Concerns
United’s injury woes were evident, with key players like Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw sidelined.
Amorim revealed post-match that several returning players, including Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, and Mason Mount, were on strict time limits due to fitness concerns.
“Harry Maguire has a time limit, Tyrell Malacia has a time limit, Mason Mount has a time limit, Leny Yoro has a real time limit,” Amorim explained.
Leny Yoro made his debut after recovering from a preseason metatarsal injury, while Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo were benched but featured in the second half.
Rotation Decisions and Squad Management
Amorim emphasized the need to manage his squad carefully, balancing the demands of his playing style with the risk of injury.
“It’s not because I like to change all the time, but I want to keep the squad fit. If players show any risk of injury, they will not play,” he said.
The manager’s methodology includes rotating players to adapt to his high-pressing system while avoiding long-term fitness setbacks.
United Look to Bounce Back
Following the setback, Amorim’s side will aim to rebound when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday. With fitness concerns persisting, Amorim’s squad rotation strategy will remain critical as United seek consistency under their new boss.
