Mainoo, Martínez: Rúben Amorim set for unexpected boost following Manchester United’s double suspension

Rúben Amorim is set to benefit from a big boost despite Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez’s suspensions against Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

Rúben Amorim is set to face his toughest test yet as Manchester United head coach when his side take on Arsenal, following their emphatic 4-0 victory over Everton.

Amorim’s arrival has sparked a turnaround at Old Trafford, with United claiming two wins and a draw in his first three games. The renewed sense of belief comes after a disastrous start to the season under Erik ten Hag.

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United now head to the Emirates to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who are also in high spirits after a convincing 5-2 win over West Ham.

Currently 9th in the Premier League, United are just four points behind Brighton in 4th place, keeping their hopes of a Champions League spot within reach.

United’s double suspension

Despite United starting to recover from a series of injury issues earlier this campaign, Amorim will see two of his biggest stars unavailable to face Arsenal due to suspension.

Against Everton, both Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martínez both picked up yellow cards, totalling their respetvei ttallies to five each in the compeittion. As per Premier League rules, they will each now serve a one-match suspension.

Should they have picked up the fifth yellow card after the 19th fixture of the seaon, they would have escaped punishment.

However, with both players unavialbe to play, Amorim will have to replace both players in the XI, creating an issue in defence as Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans remain out, although the head coach confirmed Leny Yoro should be fit to return.

An unexpected boost

However, despite the suspensions, a silver lining allows Amorim to benefit from Mainoo and Martínez’s unavailability.

The 39-year-old has already made it clear that he plans to rotate his XIs often in order to allow players proper time to rest and train, giving him a greater chance to teach his new system on the training ground.

Those such as Rasmus Højlund, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte have already benefited from the decision, thriving on the pitch following extra training sessions.

With Mainoo and Martínez, their suspensions will allow Amorim further time for the players to train later this week.

After the trip to Arsenal, he will likely be able to conduct training session on Thursday and Friday ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday. Due to their suspensions, Mainoo and Martínez will be afforded time to take part in these sessions, when they otherwise wouldn’t had they started against Arsenal.

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