Manchester United slumped to a new low on Sunday, losing 0-3 to noisy neighbours Manchester City in the Manchester derby at the Etihad.
The hosts came into the game on the back of two straight defeats, and surely the Red Devils must have thought there was a chance to earn bragging rights.
But Ruben Amorim’s team selection was puzzling once again. Instead of choosing an attacking lineup and going for the jugular, the head coach adopted a safety-first approach.
Manuel Ugarte came into midfield, while Noussair Mazraoui made his first start at right wingback. While the Uruguayan was not bad, his safe passing did not allow the 20-time English league champions to create from deep.
Should have gone more attacking
Casemiro had returned early from international duty to prepare for the derby, while he had also started in all three previous Premier League games.
And the Moroccan was understandably rusty, yet the head coach persevered until the Old Trafford side were 0-2 down before making changes.
Amad, who has excelled from that position, was played as a left-sided attacking midfielder. He was completely wasted in that position.
The Ivorian looked much sharper when he dropped down to the right wingback position late in the game, but by that time the damage had already been done.
Puzzling calls again
With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount injured, Sunday was the perfect time to play Bruno Fernandes in his most dangerous position while allowing Kobbie Mainoo to start in midfield.
Losing to such a poor City team in this manner will hurt, and will raise further questions of Amorim. Currently, he seems to have no answers.
When your system does not enhance your strengths, and instead exposes your weaknesses, it seems foolish to continue. But the Portuguese seems determined to stay the course.
With Chelsea up next, and a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool coming within a month, the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear.
INEOS need to take a cold, hard look at the situation and take a call. The season could be effectively over by the time the team lands up in Merseyside.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
