Ruben Amorim let mask slip in Arsenal defeat as Man Utd boss shows true colours

Ruben Amorim will have understood the mammoth task on his hands to turn Manchester United into a force again from the moment he landed in England from Lisbon last month. But TV cameras caught the moment that daunting reality sunk in during the first defeat of his reign against Arsenal.

United lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium through goals from defensive duo Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both created by two of the hosts’ 13 corners.

Arsenal have established the reputation of one of the world’s most prolific teams from set pieces, notching their sixth and seventh such goals this season last night.

It left Amorim disappointed and deflated. He had set up United correctly – as underdogs aware that the key to a result was to frustrate the title challengers before adding bite from the bench.

The Red Devils, indeed, frustrated Arsenal with their compact approach, allowing next to no openings in the first half, setting the stage for Amad and Marcus Rashford’s fresh legs to pounce.

But Timber’s 54th-minute opener derailed the game plan before Saliba struck 20 minutes later to secure three vital points in the chase of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Amorim’s reaction after watching the French defender directing Thomas Partey’s header across goal past Andre Onana spoke volumes.

The camera cut to the United boss sitting on the bench, deep in thought, looking down at the ground while stressfully rubbing his forehead.

Amazon Prime Video’s commentary team joked that he was already struggling to come to terms with the weight of the United job.

However, as mentioned, the Portuguese tactician will have known the task at hand before abandoning his self-built kingdom at Sporting.

Amorim has put on a calm, composed public front in the bright headlights of his new role, urging United’s fans to trust the long process ahead.

“We have to improve, but we already knew that. The difference today was the set pieces,” the 39-year-old explained after full-time.

But Amorim undoubtedly let the mask slip in that small moment after Saliba’s game-ending strike, shouldering another aspect of performance to improve in the weeks and months ahead.

He reverted to his usual demeanour following the defeat, though, insisting that United would take positives from a difficult night.

He said: “You learn all the time, it’s not a good thing or a good feeling, it’s really hard. But you have to take the positives and the negatives, like in every other game.

“So, let’s focus on everything we are doing, recover all the players to be fresh on the next game and go again. Full stadium with our fans and we are going to succeed. We need a little bit of time.”