Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United remains a work in progress despite some peaks and troughs, understandable under a new manager who hasn’t had much time on the training pitch.
For every encouraging performance at the Etihad Stadium and Anfield, there has been a limp surrender to Bournemouth or Newcastle which baffled the Man Utd fans.
Even Ruben Amorim was confused at United’s consistency, while Bruno Fernandes cut an upset figure after the Liverpool draw for the same reason.
Despite United being a work in progress, one clear weakness has emerged at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim which needs urgent fixing.
Fortunately, the players look well aware of it as Matthijs de Ligt recently broke it down expertly but insisted on one thing above all.
Matthijs de Ligt breaks down Man Utd weakness
United have shown glimpses of what they can be once they have full familiarity with Ruben Amorim’s system and those glimpses have been enough for fans to tie their hope to.
Among those glimpses, however, there has been a repeat weakness which disheartens the fans again because it has cost United multiple games now.
That weakness, of course, is on set-pieces, particularly corners, where United look all at sea while defending and clueless while attacking.
It is arguably due to set pieces that United are out of the Carabao Cup and couldn’t complete a trinity of positive results on daunting grounds when they lost to Arsenal at the Emirates.
De Ligt spoke to Man Utd’s official website recently and broke down the problem they’re having at defending this weakness.
He said: “It wasn’t easy in open play to outplay us, because I felt that we were really well positioned. Obviously, games get decided not only from open play but also through corner kicks. We’ve conceded some goals from crosses as well, but these are things we try to work on and improve.
“(Corners) can sometimes come with a little bit of uncertainty where you have to make a decision in a split second, and if you make the wrong decision it normally ends up as a goal.
“We have to do much better, but at the same time, we have to stick to the way of playing. We have to stick to the progress we had before, and to try and find the solutions to fit into the system to get the results.”
De Ligt echoing Ruben Amorim’s message
Amorim will be happy to see that the players are echoing his message of being insistent on a style of play in the face of adversity.
It is a message he has stressed repeatedly since his arrival, after wins or losses, and almost come under criticism for being stubbornly behind his philosophy.
However, Jamie Carragher’s words for Amorim after Liverpool draw laid bare the fickle nature of pundits and “experts” who change their tune after every result, thereby validating Amorim’s claims.
De Ligt and the whole Man Utd squad know their weakness very well and it is not even something that is new under the new Man Utd manager.
United had been susceptible to set-pieces under Erik ten Hag as well, leading to the arrival of Andreas Georgson has a set-piece coach.
Since Amorim’s arrival, those duties have been taken over by Carlos Fernandes, Amorim’s assistant, so it’s a lot of upheaval at quick time in a department where familiarity breeds confidence.
If the players keep working, then there’s no reason why this weakness can’t be tackled soon. That will iron out a huge wrinkle on an otherwise positive path United are on.
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