Manchester United: Ruben Amorim reveals 'need to suffer' as new injury headache confirmed | OneFootball

Midfielder was replaced at half-time as a precaution

Ruben Amorim has revealed that Mason Mount picked up a minor injury in Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat of Newcastle on Saturday.

But it was not all rosy for Amorim, who overcame a number of absentees to defeat the Magpies and now has another first-team injury to deal with.

Amorim can ill afford more injuries. He could not call upon talisman Bruno Fernandes for the match, while Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo were all away at AFCON, where they could remain until late January.

The Portuguese finally took a step away from his beloved 3-4-2-1 formation for the visit of Newcastle, opting instead for a back-four consisting of Luke Shaw, stand-in captain Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, and Diogo Dalot.

He added that the move was intended to help create more chances going forward: "In the first half, I think we showed that I felt that was the only way to create more danger, to have more opportunities was with the back four with a lot of guys inside.

Patrick Dorgu sent Old Trafford into rapture with his goal against Newcastle

REUTERS

“Even to keep the ball, because I remember the game last year we lost one against one outside. We just tried to imagine the game and to help the players to feel comfortable."

While he made the switch with attacking productivity in mind, United could barely get out of their own end in the second half as Newcastle laid siege to Senne Lammens’ 18-yard box.

They got the result over the line, though, and Amorim hopes it can be a bonding experience for the squad and fans.

"We need to suffer all together in the stadium. In the game, really difficult for us. I think we did a good first half, and then the second half, we just defended, tried to do something with [Matheus] Cunha.

“It was a good win. But I had so many games here saying we played very well and didn't get the three points, today was the opposite. I think we suffered together and we managed to win the game.

"We had some low moments and that sometimes can bring good things to the group, but it's good to have that feeling to have the experienced players helping the kids in helping the team, understanding we are suffering.

“It doesn't matter if you're outside the pitch, you can play the game, and I think everyone played the game."