Ruben Amorim was furious with Marcus Rashford after his mistake surrendered the corner kick that produced Arsenal’s second goal in last night’s 2-0 defeat, according to reports. Manchester United suffered the first loss of the Amorim era at the Emirates Stadium, conceding from two corners to undo a well-executed defensive game plan.
Jurrien Timber headed home the Gunners’ opener, flicking on Declan Rice’s pinpoint delivery to leave Andre Onana no chance of a denial.
William Saliba prodded the hosts’ second past Onana after Thomas Partey directed Bukayo Saka’s looping back-post cross across goal.
But United, who conceded 13 corners in north London, handed Arsenal the opportunity to score their sixth and seventh set-piece goals of the season far too easily.
The Manchester Evening News report that Rashford’s role in the corner that ended the game with a second Arsenal goal infuriated Amorim in the technical area.
Under pressure from Martin Odegaard near the corner flag, Rashford attempted to flick the ball up, likely to then hoof it up the pitch and away from danger.
But the United No. 10 misfired, scooping the ball off the pitch and out for a corner, a blunder met by jeers from the home crowd followed by cheers moments later.
Amorim had calmed down by full-time to provide a measured assessment of the game, admitting that his side’s set-piece defending was their downfall.
“The set pieces changed the game, [but] we could’ve been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box,” Amorim explained.
“Until the set pieces, the game didn’t have too many opportunities for both sides; the set pieces killed the game.
“They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper, and it’s almost impossible to fight for the ball, but we have to manage to defend them, and we already know we have to be better.”
Roy Keane didn’t hold back with his appraisal of Rashford’s performance off the bench, having dropped out for Alejandro Garnacho at the Emirates.
The United great was watching the blockbuster clash on The Overlap’s live watchthrough stream alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright.
And he unleashed his brutally honest fury on Rashford in a raw reaction rather than his usual shelved thoughts in a TV studio.
“That’s rubbish. That’s f**king rubbish. He’s just kicked it out of play,” Keane vented after Rashford gift-wrapped Arsenal the corner for their second.
He added: “I’ll tell you something, Marcus Rashford’s come on. His general play as a footballer is shocking.
“Watch his header there. Have United’s subs given anything since coming on? Nothing. The subs have done nothing.”
