Ruben Amorim faced his first serious challenge as Manchester United manager on Wednesday when his side faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners’ set-piece prowess proved too much for the Red Devils as they went down 2-0, with both goals coming from corners.
William Saliba of Arsenal (4-R) scores the 2-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United (Pic – EPA/Neil Hall)
Arsenal have been prolific with their set-pieces this season and were once again on the money against United as they won courtesy of goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.
There was no hiding from the fact that Arsenal had United’s number at set pieces as Amorim explained when he spoke to Match of the Day after the game: “The set pieces changed the game. We could have been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box. Until the set pieces, the game didn’t have too many opportunities for both sides, the set pieces killed the game.
“They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper and it’s almost impossible to fight for the ball but we have to manage to defend them and we already know we have to be better.
“We were committed and we lost to the set pieces. If Matthijs de Ligt can score in that moment, the momentum would be different. We tried to play but they are a very organised team and it’s hard to score.
“I felt the players were in control of the game, the set pieces changed the game in the second half,” he said.
The result leaves United with 19 points in 11th on the table.
