One 15-minute cameo in a new position for a Manchester United star has given Rúben Amorim something to think about as they prepare to face Athletic Bilbao.
Rasmus Højlund spared Rúben Amorim’s blushes with a dramatic last-minute equaliser as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon on the south coast.
The game kicked off with United eager to match Bournemouth’s pace and physicality, but it was the home side who landed the first blow, with Antoine Semenyo scoring just past the 20-minute mark.
United pushed to find a response, but Alejandro Garnacho couldn’t make the most of a few half-chances, and the teams went into the break with Andoni Iraola’s men holding a one-goal advantage.
The second half saw much of United’s attacking threat come through Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu on the left, but it wasn’t until the 70th minute that the game changed, when Evanilson was shown a red card for a challenge on Noussair Mazraoui.
Late chances fell to the likes of Chido Obi and Mason Mount, and it was Rasmus Højlund who finally found the breakthrough in the 96th minute to earn Amorim’s side a hard-fought point.
Shaw’s 15-minute cameo in a new position
Luke Shaw started his first game in over a year for the club as the side faced Bournemouth, and although he played 75 minutes as a left centre-back, he was moved to left wing-back for the final 15 as United searched for an equaliser.
In those 15 minutes, Shaw had 28 touches, completed 20 passes, and created three chances, including putting in the cross that eventually found Højlund for his equalising effort.
He was equally as solid defensively, winning his only aerial duel as a wing-back, and with United putting a lot of their attacking play through him, they looked much better.
Dorgu switched to a right wing-back role when Shaw moved to the left flank, a position he excelled in last weekend.
Amorim has something unexpected to think about
Prior to the game, Amorim stated he feels that Shaw’s best position is as a left centre-back, which is where he started. However, after the Englishman’s performance as a wing-back, Amorim has the opportunity to consider him elsewhere on the pitch.
With Diogo Dalot not available on Thursday evening, it may be best for Patrick Dorgu to start as a right wing-back, and although it may be thought initially that Harry Amass could fill in on the left, this may go to Shaw instead.
The only major issue with this is that Shaw is very unreliable due to the number of muscle injuries he sustains, which makes the notion of him starting and playing 90 minutes as a left wing-back a dangerous one.
It is something for Amorim to consider as he prepares his side for their crucial Europa League semi-final tie against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday evening in Spain.
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