Rio Ferdinand demands Rúben Amorim makes two Manchester United XI changes, he was proven right

Rio Ferdinand has explained that he feels Rúben Amorim must make two changes to the Manchester United XI that defeated Fulham on Sunday evening.

Manchester United claimed their fourth win in five matches as Lisandro Martínez’s deflected strike secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday evening.

United were sluggish in the first half, struggling to create chances as Fulham dominated possession. Amad was effectively neutralised by Antonee Robinson, who kept the winger quiet throughout.

The second half offered little improvement, with Rasmus Højlund replaced by Joshua Zirkzee as Rúben Amorim sought answers. The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Martínez’s long-range effort took a deflection, looping over Bernd Leno.

Amad’s late goal was disallowed for offside, but United held on for a vital win despite a laboured performance.

Ferdinand calls for two United XI changes

Amorim made multiple changes to the XI that started against Rangers, with Toby Collyer and Christian Eriksen, among others, dropping to the bench while Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and more started against Fulham.

However, ahead of the fixture, former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand reviewed the team that Amorim had selected and felt that there should have been two changes made.

The 46-year-old Premier League legend explained that he feels United’s side would have been better off with both Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro in the starting XI.

“Surely you’d add Kobbie Mainoo into that team? Leny Yoro?” he explained on TNT Sports.

Yoro was on the bench after starting United’s last three games. At the same time, Bruno Fernandes and Ugarte were in the midfield positions ahead of Mainoo, with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad operating either side of Rasmus Højlund.

Ferdinand was proven right

United’s game against Fulham was not an inspiring watch, with neither side capable of producing moments of magic. Martínez’s winning effort being a deflected pot-shot that still barely dropped in summed the tie up.

However, on an individual level, when Mainoo and Yoro came on, they both put in respectively great performances.

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Yoro played 32 minutes as the right-sided centre-back, replacing De Ligt. He completed all 13 of his attempted passes while having 20 touches on the ball, winning three of his four attempted duels and producing three clearances.

Mainoo was also impressive despite playing just 15 minutes including extra time.

Amorim chose to deploy the English midfielder in an advanced left No. 10 role, and although he only had eight touches, he combined brilliantly with Amad for the latter’s goal that was ruled out for offside.

Many fans have been calling for Amorim to trial Mainoo in a more advanced position, and with Ferdinand having been proven right on both counts, it’s a thought worth considering for the 40-year-old.

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