Three things we learned from Man United win as Ruben Amorim tactic pays off and Bruno Fernandes proves point | OneFootball

Amad also proves his worth at right-wing back with an impressive performance at Anfield

Manchester United secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under Ruben Amorim as they beat Liverpool 2-1 in a pulsating encounter at Anfield.

However, just six minutes later, Harry Maguire headed home to seal a massive three points for the visitors and consign Liverpool to their fourth successive loss in all competitions.

Here are three things we learned from a momentous afternoon for Man Utd and Amorim...

Amorim’s tactics pay off

Amorim’s decisions have routinely been called into question this season, and with good reason, but against Liverpool, he made a bold call and it paid off.

The Man United head coach opted not to play a recognised striker against Liverpool, identifying that the aerial strength of Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate would leave Benjamin Sesko isolated.

The Slovenian striker has found some form in a United shirt, scoring in each of his last two starts, but was left on the bench at Anfield, with Matheus Cunha playing through the middle.

Amorim reaped the benefits of his decision almost immediately as Mbeumo fired United into a second-minute lead, ghosting in behind Van Dijk to reach Amad’s pass.

With Cunha dropping deep to drag Liverpool’s defence out of position and provide another option in midfield, Mbeumo was free to run in behind. Linking up on the right-hand side with Amad, United consistently carried a threat on the counter.

Early goal: Bryan Mbeumo

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Amorim said in his post-match press conference that he had trusted his gut, knowing United would find more joy playing to feet rather than trying to match Liverpool in the air.

It was a brave decision that spoke to Amorim’s self-assuredness in the face of increasing scrutiny and showcased his ability to make tough calls in high-pressure situations.

“Especially in the bad moments, you have to go with your gut, and I always go by that,” Amorim said. “No matter what. I think it is the most important thing in the manager. Right or wrong sometimes, but that is for me the key point of being a manager.

“Sometimes the characteristics of the game change the way you are going to approach the game. So I think, for example, Cunha in the middle, if we put Ben, I think it is easier for these kinds of centre-backs to control our striker.

“So we try to do that, but when you win, the coach is so smart, it is amazing. And then when you lose, there is something wrong with the manager. I understand that, that is why I am always going with what I think is best for the team. “

Fernandes proves he can impact the game from deep

Bruno Fernandes has continually looked stifled by Amorim’s system, with the Man Utd captain tasked with playing deeper as part of a midfield two.

He has often looked unable to impact the game further up the pitch, cutting a frustrated figure as United have struggled to create chances.

Against Liverpool, though, he looked re-energised as he guided United to their first win at Anfield in nine years.

Fernandes was heavily involved in both United goals, clipping the ball out to Amad, who in turn found the run of Mbeumo as the visitors raced into a second-minute lead, before crossing for Maguire to head home the winning goal with six minutes to play.

Fernandes was at his graceful best against Liverpool, fainting away from challenges, picking passes, and attacking space.

Star man: Bruno Fernandes

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The only critique you could level at the 31-year-old was that he didn’t score when found free inside the area by Amad midway through the first-half.

Getting the best out of Fernandes was always going to lead to an upturn in results for Man United, Amorim, though, appears to have done so without baying to the court of public opinion, which had called for him to move the Portuguese midfielder into a more advanced role.

Amorim will hope that United’s win and, in particular, Fernandes’s performance can prove to be a vindication of his methods rather than the sort of red herring United’s Manchester Derby victory proved last season.

Amad “perfect” for wing-back role

It’s been a really difficult period for Amad, who has been dealing with a family bereavement which led him to miss the 3-1 defeat to Brentford at the end of September, but against Liverpool his strength of character shone through, highlighting why, in Amorim’s eyes, he is the “perfect” profile to play as a wing-back in his 3-4-2-1 system.

Amad was excellent in the victory over Sunderland before the international break, combining with Mbeumo to great effect down the right flank, and the pair continued where they left off against Liverpool.

It took just two minutes for Amad to find Mbeumo with a deftly weighted pass in behind as the away side took an early lead, and from then on in the pair had the measure of Liverpool’s defence.

Amad schooled Milos Kerkez in the first-half, with the Liverpool full-back left desperately looking over his shoulder to try and find the United forward, only for Amad to pop up on his blind side with the ball and drive down the line.

Big performance: Amad

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Substituted midway through the second-half after picking up a yellow card, Amorim said he understood Amad’s frustrations and admitted he would have kept the 20-year-old on the pitch had he not been cautioned.

“Amad is doing so well in that position; he is perfect for that position,” Amorim said. “He was upset today when I made a sub, but it was a yellow card. It was a lot of man-to-man on the side, so it was just about that. If not, he will continue in the game because it is so important for us.

“He struggled this week, but we are here for him, and that is the most important thing.”

Traditionally a winger, Amorim’s decision to play Amad at wing-back had drawn criticism.

However, as with many of his decisions against Liverpool, Amorim’s best judgment proved decisive as Man United secured a remarkable victory against their bitter rivals.