Manchester United new manager Ruben Amorim has passed verdicts on the performances of some of his players after his first game against Ipswich Town on Sunday, MySportDab reports.
From a perfect 11-match winning streak with Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga, Amorim was pegged to a 1-1 draw by 18th-placed Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.
The Portuguese tactician got the game on a flyer just two minutes on with Marcus Rashford scoring a tap-in from Amad Diallo’s cross in just 80 seconds.
However, the dynamics of the game changed immediately after the goal with Ipswich dominating proceedings. Omari Hutchinson later scored a stunner to peg the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw.
United fell below expectations in the clash as the players struggle to adapt to Amorim’s new setup.
Speaking after the game, Amorim gave a honest review of the performance of some of his players.
On Andre Onana, the two-time Primeira Liga winner said the Cameroonian did a great job but had struggled to adapt to his tactical script.
“André used to do so many long balls… now he is connecting with the players”.
“That was very good for me. He understood the idea. He did a great job,” he said.
Addressing Joshua Zirkzee who came in as a late substitute, Amorim said the former Bologna forward fell below the pecking as he couldn’t take to the box for crosses as required.
“At the end of the game with two scorers, Zirkzee has to understand that he has to go into the box for the crosses.”
While Zirkzee seemed not to have impress Amorim on his shift in the match, Bruno Fernandes earned rave reviews. According to Amorim, Bruno Fernandes played to instructions and had a good game.
“Bruno Fernandes, he improved his game by playing near the ball”.
The Ipswich match offered Amorim a chance for a real-time assessment of the suitability of the players at his disposal to his planned new tactical setup.
He will be expected to quickly get his house in order and turn around the fortunes of the club domestically and in Europe.
United will host Bodo/Glimt in Europa League matchday five clash in their next match and will hope to return to winning ways after the stalemate at Portman Road.