Amorim's Anfield Gamble Pays Off: A Striker-less Dilemma Looms for Brighton Clash
Ruben Amorim's bold decision to bench in-form striker Benjamin Sesko for Manchester United's clash against Liverpool last weekend has paid dividends, leaving the Portuguese manager with a welcome selection headache ahead of the crucial visit of Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford this Saturday.
Sesko, who had found the net in United's last two outings, was surprisingly overlooked by Amorim, who opted to revert to the striker-less front three that had featured in the opening three games of the season. While Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, and Bryan Mbeumo had shown promise in those earlier fixtures, their collective scoring touch had been absent – Mbeumo being the sole beneficiary of Mount's substitution against Burnley.
However, the tactical gamble at Anfield proved inspired. Within two minutes, Mbeumo ignited the Kop with a superb finish following a perfectly weighted pass from Amad, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Cunha, Mount, and Mbeumo all impressed throughout the match, showcasing a fluidity and understanding that belied the absence of a traditional centre-forward.
This successful implementation of a striker-less attack presents a tantalising prospect for United, who were plagued by attacking impotence last season. Amorim now faces the unenviable task of deciding whether to reward the attacking trio that delivered at Anfield or recall the in-form Sesko.
The 40-year-old manager possesses a wealth of attacking talent, allowing him to tailor his approach to specific opposition. The victory over Liverpool, hailed as outstanding, must now serve as a springboard for further success. With Brighton arguably posing a similar threat to their Merseyside counterparts, getting the team selection right is paramount.
A win against Brighton could see United enter the November international break in a Champions League qualification spot, a testament to their recent resurgence. The temptation to stick with a winning formula, by retaining Cunha, Mount, and Mbeumo, will be strong. Yet, Sesko's recent goal-scoring form cannot be ignored.
The Slovenia international, a significant summer acquisition for €76.5 million (£66.4m) plus add-ons, has shown flashes of brilliance. His first goal against Brentford was followed by a clever strike against Sunderland, suggesting he is finding his rhythm. If the United attack can truly click into gear with Sesko leading the line, he has the potential to reach 20 goals this season – a target unlikely to be met by Mount or Cunha operating as a false nine.
While the understanding between Cunha, Mount, and Mbeumo is undeniably impressive, the argument for playing Sesko through the middle against Brighton is compelling. The ceiling for the striker-less formation, it could be argued, is ultimately lower than an attack featuring a prolific centre-forward like Sesko.
The subsequent challenge for Amorim would then be deciding who to sacrifice. The competition for places on the left flank between Mount and Cunha is fierce. Mount was exceptional against Sunderland and tireless against Liverpool, while Cunha's intelligent play and game management were crucial in seeing out the Anfield victory. Mbeumo, meanwhile, has cemented his place on the right flank with an excellent start to the campaign.
Ultimately, the return of a stronger attacking department, a stark contrast to last season's struggles, has provided Amorim with the kind of selection dilemmas that winning teams thrive on. The decision regarding his attacking shape against Brighton will be a significant one, but one that highlights the positive trajectory of Manchester United under his guidance.
Sesko, who had found the net in United's last two outings, was surprisingly overlooked by Amorim, who opted to revert to the striker-less front three that had featured in the opening three games of the season. While Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, and Bryan Mbeumo had shown promise in those earlier fixtures, their collective scoring touch had been absent – Mbeumo being the sole beneficiary of Mount's substitution against Burnley.
However, the tactical gamble at Anfield proved inspired. Within two minutes, Mbeumo ignited the Kop with a superb finish following a perfectly weighted pass from Amad, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Cunha, Mount, and Mbeumo all impressed throughout the match, showcasing a fluidity and understanding that belied the absence of a traditional centre-forward.
This successful implementation of a striker-less attack presents a tantalising prospect for United, who were plagued by attacking impotence last season. Amorim now faces the unenviable task of deciding whether to reward the attacking trio that delivered at Anfield or recall the in-form Sesko.
The 40-year-old manager possesses a wealth of attacking talent, allowing him to tailor his approach to specific opposition. The victory over Liverpool, hailed as outstanding, must now serve as a springboard for further success. With Brighton arguably posing a similar threat to their Merseyside counterparts, getting the team selection right is paramount.
A win against Brighton could see United enter the November international break in a Champions League qualification spot, a testament to their recent resurgence. The temptation to stick with a winning formula, by retaining Cunha, Mount, and Mbeumo, will be strong. Yet, Sesko's recent goal-scoring form cannot be ignored.
The Slovenia international, a significant summer acquisition for €76.5 million (£66.4m) plus add-ons, has shown flashes of brilliance. His first goal against Brentford was followed by a clever strike against Sunderland, suggesting he is finding his rhythm. If the United attack can truly click into gear with Sesko leading the line, he has the potential to reach 20 goals this season – a target unlikely to be met by Mount or Cunha operating as a false nine.
While the understanding between Cunha, Mount, and Mbeumo is undeniably impressive, the argument for playing Sesko through the middle against Brighton is compelling. The ceiling for the striker-less formation, it could be argued, is ultimately lower than an attack featuring a prolific centre-forward like Sesko.
The subsequent challenge for Amorim would then be deciding who to sacrifice. The competition for places on the left flank between Mount and Cunha is fierce. Mount was exceptional against Sunderland and tireless against Liverpool, while Cunha's intelligent play and game management were crucial in seeing out the Anfield victory. Mbeumo, meanwhile, has cemented his place on the right flank with an excellent start to the campaign.
Ultimately, the return of a stronger attacking department, a stark contrast to last season's struggles, has provided Amorim with the kind of selection dilemmas that winning teams thrive on. The decision regarding his attacking shape against Brighton will be a significant one, but one that highlights the positive trajectory of Manchester United under his guidance.
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