Three reasons why Manchester United can be confident for Liverpool showdown | OneFootball

Red Devils finally give cause for optimism under Ruben Amorim as champions reel following three successive defeats

Manchester United secured a morale-boosting victory over Sunderland last weekend to relieve the pressure on Ruben Amorim following a difficult start to the season.

Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko were enough to secure United’s third successive victory at Old Trafford and lift them into the top half of the Premier League table.

Here, Standard Sport looks at three reasons why Amorim should be confident ahead of the trip to Anfield.

United finally have a goalkeeper they can trust

It was never going to take much to oust Altay Bayindir as United’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Bayindir, who took the job from Andre Onana at the start of the season, has flattered to deceive with a number of shaky performances eventually leading Amorim to drop him.

In his place, Senne Lammens, an £18million Deadline Day arrival from Royal Antwerp, made his long-awaited debut against Sunderland and produced a competent performance as United achieved their first clean sheet of the season.

Lammens faced just three shots on target, but his display was less about proving his quality and more about instilling confidence in a defence that has already shipped 11 league goals this season.

Commanding presence: Senne Lammens impressed on his Manchester United debut against Sunderland

Martin Rickett/PA Wire

His assuredness in coming to claim crosses and asking for the ball to feet gave United a base from which they could go on to produce a comfortable victory, while a couple of smart saves proved his shot-stopping capabilities.

Amorim was tentative in his praise of the Belgian ‘keeper, admitting he had yet to see how Lammens would react to the pressure put on him by the media.

A trip to Anfield to face the reigning champions will surely give a good indication as to how Lammens will fare.

Fit-again Mount crucial to Amorim’s system

Injuries have so far prevented Mount’s United career from ever properly getting going.

A succession of hamstring and calf issues have limited the midfielder to just 53 appearances since moving to Old Trafford from Chelsea in 2023.

However, as he proved with a well-taken goal against Sunderland, there is a place for Mount to thrive under Amorim - if he can stay fit.

Since taking over at United, Amorim has struggled to find the right balance in midfield. But with Mount in the side, he has a player capable of blending defence and attack.

Ruthlessly hard-working out of possession and with a keen appreciation of space, Mount has always excelled in transition, and there’s no reason why he can’t be the glue that binds Amorim’s system together.

On the scoresheet: Mason Mount has a big role to play at Manchester United, but must prove his fitness

REUTERS

In the first few months of the season, United have struggled to progress the ball through midfield, often looking to their wing-backs to provide options in possession.

With Mount as one of the two central attacking options behind Sesko, they have someone comfortable taking the ball on the half-turn and driving forward.

Mount is the sort of selfless presence that Amorim needs in midfield, covering ground to allow others time with the ball.

Amad and Mbeumo strike up promising partnership

Much has been made about Amorim’s decision to play Amad Diallo at right wing-back this season.

The Ivory Coast international was arguably United’s best player last term, providing 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, playing through the middle or off the right wing in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

The arrival of Bryan Mbeumo this summer, though, saw Amad shifted out of position, and he has struggled to impact games to the same level.

Double trouble: Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo linked up well in the win over Sunderland

Manchester United via Getty Images

However, against Sunderland his partnership with Mbeumo showed signs of growth, and the pair worked off each other well, linking to set up Mount’s opening goal.

Amad has looked stifled in the early months of the season, but against Sunderland he and Mbeumo were both able to work their way into shooting positions.

United’s best moments came down the right flank, with Amad and Mbeumo taking it in turns to drive inside and test Robin Roefs in the Sunderland goal.

Amad and Mbeumo are starting to understand each other’s movements, and up against Liverpool’s full-backs, there will be ample opportunities to double up if United can take the game to their hosts.