Ruben Amorim reveals four Man Utd stars who have a ‘time limit’ as he discusses squad issues
Amorim's management of his players comes despite Man Utd having few injury concerns
RUBEN AMORIM has revealed four Manchester United players have a “time limit” on the pitch at the moment due to their fitness levels.
The Portuguese coach, 39, suffered his first defeat as Red Devils boss on Wednesday night in a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.
Amorim made six changes to his starting line-up from the 4-0 win over Everton.
He brought the likes of Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount in from the cold after little game time over the last 12 months.
But before the hour mark he took Maguire and Mount off for Leny Yoro and Marcus Rashford.
Alejandro Garnacho was also replaced by Joshua Zirkzee, while Antony came on in the 79th minute for Rasmus Hojlund.
It has been a mark of Amorim’s first four games in charge that he has not been afraid to change up his team – far more than his predecessor Erik ten Hag.
But he has admitted part of the reason is because he is having to manage the minutes of Maguire, Malacia, Mount and Yoro.
He said: “It’s not because I like to change all the time but we have to have all the squad fit.
“For example, Harry Maguire has a time limit, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount have time limits. Leny Yoro really has a time limit.
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“We have to manage winning games in a different methodology, different way of playing, more metres to press.
“Tomorrow we have to assess and the guys who have a little bit of a risk to some injury will not play.
“We have to have everybody to work, to play and to improve the squad.”
Man Utd’s only current injury concerns are Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw.
They host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, before travelling to Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
Three days later they then travel to the Etihad to take on Manchester City in a crunch derby clash.
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal
RUBEN AMORIM lost his first game since taking charge of Man Utd after a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.
See how the players rated…
ANDRE ONANA – 5
He was let off early in the game after a stray pass saw Gabriel Martinelli put the ball in the net before the linesman raised his flag.
Failed to command his area as 5″10 Jurrien Timber leapt highest to rattle the back of his net, before the ball floated to the back post for Arsenal to score their second set piece.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Flashed a shot just wide at the end of the first half when he did eventually get forward.
Not bad defensively but more dangerous going forwards.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Formed a good partnership with Maguire in the first half, and fans will be hoping he is okay after suffering a slight knock.
Needed to be a more commanding figure in the box to stop being dominated by The Gunners at set pieces.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
Was actually very impressive in the first half, with a solid showing.
Not at fault for Timber’s header hitting the back of the net, before he was replaced by Leny Yoro.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Playing as a left-sided centre-back he looked fairly comfortable, which is a credit to the Moroccan’s versatility.
That said, he still looked better off in the role that Malacia, then Dalot occupied tonight as a left-wingback.
TYRELL MALACIA – 3
Noticeably looked extremely physically weak up against Bukayo Saka on the left-hand side, before being booked for a kick out at Kai Havertz.
Offered nothing going forward and his link-up with Garnacho was practically non-existent. Hooked at half-time for the far more threatening Amad.
MANUEL UGARTE – 5
Another one who was booked in the first half, he failed to establish any kind of presence in the game and on the ball, looked pretty woeful.
Cleared a Joshua Zirkzee header off of his own line to stop Arsenal from doubling their lead early in the second half.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 4
This game was crying out for Bruno Fernandes to stamp his authority on it, and it seemed he just couldn’t quite get his foot on the ball to do so.
Played a deeper role today, next to Ugarte, which meant we didn’t see any of his attacking spark.
MASON MOUNT – 3
Mason Mount at right wing was an experiment tried and failed at Chelsea, which Amorim tried again tonight.
He was often lost in the half-space, meaning he was essentially useless going forwards. Hooked in the second half after a fairly abysmal showing.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 5
A very quiet first half, only brightened by one half-decent cross, was met by a second half where he was quickly subbed for Marcus Rashford.
Quiet.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Battled well with the physical presence of William Saliba early on, but his side failed to create him any kind of chances.
Cut a frustrated figure for most of the match, and rightly so. There will be no point signing Gyokeres if they can’t create anything for him to score.
SUBS
AMAD (TYRELL MALACIA, HT) – 5
Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.
However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.
MARCUS RASHFORD (MASON MOUNT, 72) – 5
Having been electric on the whole under Amorim, he wasn’t able to provide any kind of spark against an opponent which has been one of his favourites in recent years.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (ALEJANDRO GARNACHO, 72) – 4
After an impressive display last time out, he failed to offer anything to his side going forward today.
The closest he came to scoring was a dangerous header which almost saw him get an own goal on the scoresheet.
LENY YORO (HARRY MAGUIRE, 72) – 6
Looks like a pretty good defender on the whole, a tough game for a young centre-back, but he didn’t look out of place whatsoever.
ANTONY (RASMUS HOJLUND, 79) – 5
Played his part in a clever free-kick routine at the end of the game, before fluffing his lines and finding the gloves of David Raya.