
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim has been praised for the game-defining changes he made to his starting XI before kick-off yesterday.
Manchester United fans’ nerves’ heightened when they saw that the coach had opted to go with Harry Maguire and Casemiro, who are considerably less pacey options than some of their counterparts, whilst dropping Benjamin Sesko against the reigning Premier League champions.
Why Amorim’s starting line-up was controversial at first glance

Sesko had scored in back-to-back games in the build-up to Sunday’s clash, initially opening his account in the defeat to Brentford before scoring United’s second of their 2-0 win over Sunderland prior to the international break.
Meanwhile, it was thought Casemiro would be benched after he played 180 minutes for Brazil in matches against Japan and South Korea, meaning he (and compatriot Matheus Cunha) had travelled the furthest of any player on either side.
Yet, Amorim took a risk with the midfield veteran. He also replaced Sesko with Cunha, and Maguire took the place of youngster Leny Yoro at the back.
Maguire would go on to net the winning goal of the contest, securing their first win at Anfield in nine-and-a-half years while doing so; he headed home from an inch-perfect lofted ball into the box from Bruno Fernandes to send the travelling United faithful into a frenzy.
Amorim’s changes earn him back-to-back league wins for the first time

Samuel Luckhurst commended Amorim for his decision-making at full-time, writing on X/Twitter: “Amorim’s three key calls all paid off: Maguire colossal at both ends, Casemiro was steady until his booking and the strikerless front three could have had them further ahead at half-time. That has to be a turning point for #MUFC.”
Whether Amorim will opt for the same side next time out remains to be seen, with Brighton and Hove Albion now next on the calendar for United this Saturday.