Ruben Amorim has been handed a huge boost at Manchester United this week which could help solve the biggest problem within his XI.
Manchester United appear to have found their stride at last, having recorded three consecutive Premier League victories.
After a slow start that brought early pressure on Ruben Amorim, the Reds have begun to build real momentum with wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton.
The triumph at Anfield earlier this month was a defining moment, but following it up with another confident display and result against Brighton may have been even more significant for Amorim’s men.
In recent years, United have often risen to the occasion in major fixtures only to falter against supposedly weaker sides. This time, however, they maintained their focus and intensity throughout.
Next up, United make the trip to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest, now under the management of newly appointed Sean Dyche. The in-form Reds will be determined to extend their winning run and continue climbing the Premier League table.
Amorim handed huge United boost
It feels like United have had an injury crisis every season for a long while, but so far this term, Amorim has barely had any concerns in that regard.
That is partly due to the fact that United are not playing in European competition this season and any injury troubles have been short-term issues.
Lisandro Martínez’s absence has been the only long-term problem Amorim has had to deal with after the Argentine suffered an ACL injury midway through last season.
But the defender is now closing in on a return to action, with United’s media team uploading images of him in full training this week before the game against Nottingham Forest.
While it remains unlikely that Martínez plays in that fixture, he will be back on the pitch soon and that is a big boost for Amorim and the squad.
Martínez return could help fix LWB issue
United are in a good vein of form right now and the majority of the XI are looking promising. Even in midfield, Casemiro’s performances are looking good.
But the one problem that seems to have remained in these latest victories is at left wingback. Neither Diogo Dalot or Patrick Dorgu have impressed when they have played there.
The return of Martínez to the team could actually help solve this problem as Amorim could test Luke Shaw at wingback when the Argentine moves into the left centre-back role.
There are certainly question marks about whether Shaw can physically deal with playing as a wingback in this system, but he would certainly be the best option right now in terms of being able to deliver dangerous crosses from advanced areas.
United seem to consistently find their left wingback in space but the likes of Dalot and Dorgu have been unable to take advantage of those situations regularly, and perhaps the return of Martínez could help that.
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