5 hours Ago By Vatsal Gupta
Manchester United had arguably their most complete game under Ruben Amorim in their 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League. There have been bigger victories in the context of the opposition, there have been wins by a bigger margin (4-0 vs Everton), but the manner of this win was most pleasing. There was no backs-to-the-wall, siege mentality defending and playing on the counter-attack as Man Utd took the initiative and created chances by the bucketloads.
A key reason behind that blistering display was a new partnership unleashed by Ruben Amorim that can form the spine of the next great Man Utd team. Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesRuben Amorim unleashes new Man Utd partnershipSuch is the scarcity of options at Amorim’s disposal that the Man Utd team effectively picks itself for most games these days. In fact, Amorim has come under fire for being almost too predictable at times, going with the tried and tested instead of rolling the dice.
Against Sociedad, he did roll the dice to a certain extent by including the likes of James Scanlon and Jack Fletcher on the bench. However, neither received any minutes in a game that United were leading by a solitary goal well after the 80th minute, hardly a secure lead. Still, the biggest roll of the dice Amorim did was not choosing to start Victor Lindelof, giving Ayden Heaven his debut start at Man Utd, with Patrick Dorgu ahead of him.
It was the first time Heaven and Dorgu started together, the two January signings, first under Ruben Amorim, and what they showed vs Sociedad proved Amorim and the board know what they’re doing. Ayden Heaven-Patrick Dorgu can form Man Utd’s spineWhile the upcoming summer promises to be one of upheaval and change, the difference in quality and understanding between players Amorim inherited and players brought under him is night and day. Heaven and Dorgu completely locked down the left-side defensively with their physicality and intensity, while overwhelming in the attacking phase with their thrusting runs.
Heaven always showed for the ball and despite some initial sketchy moments, didn’t let it shake his confidence, a sign of elite mentality. Dorgu, on the other hand, was a menace in both boxes, running and creating with seemingly endless stamina. He looked like he was ready to play another 90 minutes right away after the final whistle!The duo’s left-footedness really opened up the sides and stretched Sociedad beyond limits, ultimately allowing the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee to wreak havoc down the middle.
Begin as you mean to go along, as they say, and for Heaven and Dorgu, the first signs of their partnership showed tantalising potential for their, and the club’s long-term prospects..
