Ruben Amorim’s start at Manchester United is a little like Leny Yoro’s comeback last night. Straight in at the deep end.
While his predecessor Erik ten Hag got a pre-season to get to know his stars, Ruben Amorim is learning in the midst of a hectic Premier League season.
In some ways, perhaps it’s better, without the distraction of the transfer window, but it certainly has some disadvantages too.
Several of Amorim’s players are dealing with injury problems, or even if they are fit to play, United have to manage them carefully to reduce the risk of re-injury. And the new head coach has explained some of the challenges he is facing.
Ruben Amorim on minute restrictions
Ruben Amorim has made changes to each of his line-ups, and frequently during games, and it’s not necessarily through choice.
Speaking to MUTV, Amorim broke down the issues, and explained Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro are still on minute restrictions, as was Luke Shaw prior to his re-injury.
Amorim explained: “It’s not that I like to change all the time, but if you see the game Mason Mount cannot do the full game because we have to to be careful in this in this stage.
“Harry Maguire has to leave the pitch no matter what. Leny [Yoro] or we have to control the time that he play. We did the same with Luke Shaw.
“We did the same with Malacia. We have to control the time in this moment. We have to manage to a new idea winning games and try to maintain all the players fit. So it’s a difficult period.
“But like I said, let’s focus on the performance. And then think about the next game. Despite the result, there’s so much, so many things.”
Amorim’s explanation that Maguire had to come off ‘no matter what’ explains just how strictly he is treating his players’ health, unwilling to push them in favour of a short-term gain.
Breakdown of minutes against Arsenal
After last season was wrecked by injuries, it’s good to hear United are being sensible in the approach to player health.
United have a poor record at The Emirates and the challenges Amorim was dealing with made it even tougher.
Malacia played 45 minutes. It’s possible he could have played more, but his yellow card made it a simpler decision to bring him off at half-time.
Mason Mount and Harry Maguire both played 59 minutes, with Leny Yoro brought off the bench for the final 31 plus stoppages.
The good news is United have Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez back from suspension for the next game, giving Amorim more options to select from.
But both players are coming back from knocks themselves, and it is possible both enter the next game with some restrictions of their own.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
