"The Man United head coach opted not to play a recognised striker against Liverpool, identifying that the aerial strength of Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate would leave Benjamin Sesko isolated. Amorim reaped the benefits of his decision almost immediately as Mbeumo fired United into a second-minute lead, ghosting in behind Van Dijk to reach Amad's pass. With Cunha dropping deep to drag Liverpool's defence out of position and provide another option in midfield, Mbeumo was free to run in behind."
"I think it is the most important thing in the manager. Right or wrong sometimes, but that is for me the key point of being a manager. Sometimes you have a player in a good moment, but the characteristic of the game is not for him. So it is better to go with a player and understand that is not for him."
"So I think, for example, Cunha in the middle, if we put Ben, I think it is easier for these kinds of centre-backs to control our striker. So we try to do that, but when you win, the coach is so smart, it is amazing. And then when you lose, there is something wrong with the manager. I understand that, that is why I am always going with what I think is best for the team."
Amorim chose not to start a recognised striker to avoid isolating Benjamin Sesko against Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, instead selecting players who could combine and run in behind. Mbeumo scored in the second minute after ghosting behind Van Dijk to meet Amad's pass, a move facilitated by Cunha dropping deep and dragging Liverpool's defence out of position. United consistently threatened on the counter via right-sided link-up between Amad and Mbeumo. Amorim emphasised trusting his gut, adapting selections to match characteristics of the game and accepting responsibility for bold choices.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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