Jamie Carragher feels that Rúben Amorim has one question to answer following Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle on Friday evening.
Manchester United battled their way to a hard-earned 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day, with Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s volley making the difference.
United made the stronger start, but Newcastle grew into the contest following early tactical changes from Eddie Howe. The breakthrough arrived just before the 25th minute when Dorgu struck to give United the lead.
Rúben Amorim’s side remained organised and composed through the rest of the first half. Shortly after the restart, Amorim was forced into a substitution as Jack Fletcher replaced Mason Mount, who appeared to suffer an injury.
Newcastle dominated much of the second half, applying sustained pressure, but United refused to buckle. Key interventions from Ayden Heaven, Senne Lammens, and Dorgu helped preserve the clean sheet and secure a narrow victory.
The result provides United with a crucial three points and a rare shutout, lifting them into fifth place in the Premier League, with several rivals still to play this weekend.
Carragher feels Amorim must answer one question
After playing a back-three against Villa last week, United’s side featured a back four against Newcastle, much to the relief of many who have disdain for Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1.
However, former Liveprool defender Jamie Carragher feels Amorim must answer whether the back four was just a temporary solution to his current problems, or if it is one that will continue in the coming months.
“I think the big question for the manager is, is this a system that he’s going to stick with, or because of the position he’s found himself in, in terms of players that he’s got, players who are out injured,” Carragher said.
“So I think it remains to be seen what he’ll be doing over these coming weeks. But one thing we should say, it fuelled us before the game, and it definitely fuelled Eddie Howe and Newcastle, because there was a little mention about his goalkeeper going down, wasn’t it, in that first half, to try and get that message on.
“So if Ruben Amner can go forward and almost keep that way, you’re going into games, you’re not 100% sure what the opposition are going to do.
“That’s never an easy place to come up against your own opposition when you’re not quite sure what they’re going to do, who they’re going to play. And maybe that can be something that can be added to improve United.”
The next three games will be telling
United’s next three fixtures are all against sides fighting against relegation. First, they welcome Wolves (20th) to Old Trafford, before going away to face Leeds United (16th) and Burnley (19th) in the new year.
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While the set-up against Newcastle was understandably defensive against a strong side from Howe and was, as Carragher alluded to, designed to fool the Gordie manager, the coming games will be about domination.
Amorim wants his side to dominate the ball and tried doing so with his 4-3-2-1, so it will become immediately clear whether or not the back four is a long-term solution when the side lines up to face Wolves.
If he reverts to a back three, it indicates he wishes to remain with his current set-up, while a back four at Old Trafford would be a much more solid signal that this is how United are expected to set up going forward.
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