Rio Ferdinand has named two starting XI changes Rúben Amorim must make when Manchester United face Fulham next weekend.
Manchester United opened their Premier League campaign with a defeat to Arsenal, though Rúben Amorim’s side delivered a largely encouraging display.
The match began with Bryan Mbeumo posing threats down the right, but it was Arsenal who struck first as Riccardo Calafiori headed in Declan Rice’s corner.
United kept pressing for an equaliser, with Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo both denied by David Raya, leaving Arsenal ahead at the break.
In the second half, Amorim introduced Amad in place of Diogo Dalot after 55 minutes, before bringing on Benjamin Šeško and Manuel Ugarte to raise the tempo with half an hour remaining.
Despite sustained late pressure, including Cunha being brought down in the box by William Saliba, Mikel Arteta’s side held firm to secure an away victory.
Amorim very pleased with Mbeumo and Cunha
Although Mbeumo and Cunha have both started a few games together in pre-season, this was both players’ competitive debuts at Old Trafford.
Against a side such as Arsenal, there was a slight worry that just a major test so early on could prove a tough challenge for both players, but the duo took it in their stride and were fantastic.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, former United defender and club legend Rio Ferdinand explained that he felt they were two of United’s most dangerous players.
“Mbeumo in the first half, I thought was our most dangerous player, in the second half, Cunha, some of things he done today – I was looking at it going, when we get the end product out of these guys, who have proved they can do that in the Premier League,” Ferdinand explained.
Ferdinand feels two XI changes are needed
With the Arsenal tie now behind Amorim, all eyes will be on another week of training before United travel to face Fulham in West London on Sunday afternoon.
Continuing, Ferdinand explained that if Amorim were to add Šeško up front from the start and Amad at right wing-back to play either side of Mbeumo, there will be plenty more to come from United.
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“You add [Benjamin] Sesko to that, Mason Mount I thought was a big plus in the first half as well, in and out of possession,” Ferdinand continued.
“And Amad, coming in on the right hand side, against the lesser teams he will start at right wing-back, and he’ll be playing high and you’ll get Mbeumo inside.
“I saw enough today to fill me with some hope.”
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