Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have taken a big step forward since the final days of the Erik Ten Hag era, but the effects have been consistent. United followed up last game’s victories in Europe and at Manchester City with a disappointing 4-3 defeat. against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup in a match characterized by goalkeeping errors on both sides.
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Andre Onana will feel his position as United’s first-choice goalkeeper does not face a genuine risk after Altay Bayindir was the opposite of taking his big chance. For Amorim, the biggest sadness will be that it’s a trophy that his looks had a serious chance of winning after United’s National Cup triumphs in the past two seasons under his predecessor.
Things are so tight on the table that a win away from Bournemouth would move United Level into trouble with the Cherries and within sight of the Champions League places as we head into the Christmas era, where the matches are thick and fast.
Marcus Rashford remains the big story at Old Trafford, a player who has probably generated more column inches than anyone else in England in the last decade. It remains to be noted whether he will play for his formative years team, but Amorim has reported that he would be open to reconciliation. He will count on him as he settles into Rashford from his FIT team.
There hardly seems to be any value to be discussed at this stage, however, with the hosts almost having to do without Luke Shaw and Mason Mount due to injuries. Amorim sought to give many peripheral characters the chance to get themselves their start at Old Trafford, as they spin outdoors through Joshua Zirkzee and Jonny Evans marking this opposite defeat to Spurs, as well as the recent involvement of Antony Decree .
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United want to make their space a land that was once a fortress again. Nottingham Forest’s victory at Old Trafford was a blow, although Amorim obviously indicated that there is no immediate solution. United have Championship games behind Newcastle and Liverpool on the horizon, as well as an FA Cup clash at Arsenal, so those are the kind of games they just have to win to prevent Amorim’s honeymoon era from ending prematurely. To the faithful of Old Trafford could use anything to celebrate this holiday season, and a victory here would be the ideal Christmas gift.
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(Photo via Bruno Fernandes: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)