Manchester United’s injury ‘deadlines’ force changes – Amorim

Ruben Amorim said he was forced to work with “time constraints” on his players returning from injury at Manchester United as he suffered his first defeat in charge of the club in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal.

Second half goal from Jurriën Timber and William Salibaboth from corners, sealed victory for the Gunners and inflicted former Sporting CP coach Amorim’s first league defeat in over a year.

But with the United squad still hampered by injuries and a lack of match fitness, Amorim said his selection remains influenced by the fitness issues.

Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount all played for less than an hour at the Emirates after recently returning from injury as summer signings Leny Yoro made his first appearance for the club after a long-term foot injury.

“It’s not that I like to change all the time, but we have to get the whole squad fit,” Amorim said. “So for example, Harry Maguire has a time limit, Tyrell Malacia has a time limit, Mason Mount has a time limit, Leny Yoro has a real time limit, so we have to manage within games, different method, different way of playing, more meters to press.

“Tomorrow we have to assess and the guys who are a little bit at risk of injury will not play, so we have to have everyone working, playing and improving the squad.”

Despite the defeat, Amorim said he would still welcome his players’ performances at the Emirates.

“I make the evaluation of the game regardless of the result,” he said. “Like I said, after 4-0 (the win against Everton) you can take positives but we have to improve and you already knew that.

“But you can feel it in the stadium, especially at the end of the first half you can feel they weren’t comfortable, you can feel it in the stadium, so you can take that.

“You see a goal and then the momentum changes and it’s really difficult for us to take full control of the game, but we try.”

Amorim, meanwhile, said he would give Luke Shaw all the time he needs to be fit after the England defender suffered another injury setback this week after five months out with a calf injury.

“What I can say, since I arrived, I see him in the medical department working a lot in the gym and working a lot on the field,” Amorim said. “We manage the load during the matches, during the trainings. He lost weight, so he did everything.

“If he continues to do that behavior, he’s a top, top player and we need him. However long he needs, I’ll be with him, we’ll help him come back. Not only Manchester United, but your national team needs a guy like Luke Shaw, so we’re here to help him.”