Man United’s Diallo could prove a key performer against Liverpool tomorrow. — AP
All over the place, Amorim seems to be way out of his depth
THERE is just no way to sugarcoat it – things are looking grim for Manchester United.
In 14th place on the Premier League table, with one win and five defeats in their last six league matches, which included three back-to-back losses with no goals scored, and a manager who seems to be way out of his depth.
With 22 points after 19 games, the Red Devils are also nearer to the relegation zone than they are to a place in next season’s European competitions.
And shortly after the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United midweek, Ruben Amorim remarked that there is a real possibility that his side could get sucked into a relegation battle.
United and relegation are two words that look awkward together, but it’s not entirely impossible, as it happened at the end of the 1973-74 season.
Given the current situation United are in, it will take a lot of hard work and, more importantly, luck, for Amorim to get his side back up the table this season.
Amorim is one of those bright, young and upcoming managers, and there’s no walking away for him now having taken up the job in the middle of the season.
He will surely be given time by both club and supporters to make the changes because it will always be hard without a proper pre-season and training with his players.
Never mind all the unwanted statistics or records being broken, he just needs to find solutions to the Red Devils’ current malaise.
Inheriting a squad of players that are seemingly ill-suited to making his style of play work has also made it more difficult.
And with possibly no new players coming in the January transfer market, it will be an interesting couple of months to see how Amorim can get the best out of his squad.
There is no Plan B other than to play his preferred 3-4-3 formation or any other iterations with a three-centre back defence.
There may also be questions asked as to why Amorim and a few managers would prefer to play a certain way, given the lack of tools to do so.
Like Ange Postocoglou at Tottenham Hotspur, they stubbornly “stick to the plan” no matter the outcome.
Is this persistence something of a mistake or simply a belief that things will turn out positively?
Amorim will certainly be hopeful of the latter, given that they take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield Stadium this weekend.
The question is how Amorim sets up his squad. Do they take on Arne Slot’s team head-on or play more defensively?
United need a good result and could go on the offence from the get-go, which might suit the Reds’ counter-attacking capabilities.
Playing too defensively, they may also get boxed in their own half and be overwhelmed by Mohamed Salah and company.
With Andre Onana being the mainstay in goal, the back three should consist of Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
The wingbacks should be Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui and the double pivot in midfield, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo.
Bruno Fernandes will be recalled into the starting line-up after serving a one-match ban and will play alongside Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund in attack.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have some injury concerns defensively.
Having already lost Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley earlier this season, Slot will now be without Joe Gomez, who suffered a hamstring injury during the 5-0 win over West Ham last weekend.
Jarell Quansah will be expected to play alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson the wing-backs.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who was also suspended for one match, will be back in contention to start in midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister expected to be retained in their positions in the middle of the pack.
Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo should complete the starting XI up front.
Given the form both teams are currently in, the Reds of Merseyside go into the match as favourites.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is hard to see Liverpool not winning this one.
The only loss the Reds have suffered so far this season was at home to Nottingham Forest, back in September last year.
As for United, their away form has not been too great, with four losses, three draws and two wins.
The long-standing Northwest Derby, between two of England’s most successful clubs, is always a matter of pride and this one should be the same.
Things may yet get fiery with tackles flying in the first half of the match.
With this, Slot will need to make sure his side give their full focus to the task at hand and avoid making costly mistakes, while Amorim will have to encourage his side to have a go at the Reds.
