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Zirkzee and Mount scored in Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Palace. |
Manchester United left Selhurst Park with a 2-1 victory in the 13th round of the Premier League on the evening of November 30th, but what they gained was more than just three points. It was the feeling of the team rediscovering its familiar rhythm after a turbulent November.
Luckily, MU won.
On an afternoon when it seemed all the old problems were resurfacing, Ruben Amorim stood firm under pressure and made a choice that forced people to re-evaluate his reading of the game. And Joshua Zirkzee, the most criticized fighter of late, was the piece that completed that story.
MU needed a rebound after their embarrassing defeat to Everton. They also needed to break their months-long away jinx. But as the first half drew to a close, MU were back in the same state that had been tiring for their fans: a lack of ideas, a lack of speed, and a lack of someone to lead the team forward.
Crystal Palace, despite being fatigued after their Europa League trip to France, easily overwhelmed Manchester United's defense. A mistake by Leny Yoro, a clumsy defending by De Ligt, and the unstable mentality of the attacking duo Amad and Mbeumo left MU in disarray.
It was a moment for a coach to dare to make a decision. Amorim did what many avoided: he recognized that some seemingly obvious choices had to be taken outside the box.
He dropped Patrick Dorgu from the starting lineup after the player himself said he often felt anxious when in possession of the ball. Amorim also put his faith in Dalot, who hadn't made a particularly strong impact on the left wing this season.
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MU has rediscovered the taste of victory. |
On the Selhurst Park pitch, those changes had an immediate effect. Dalot brought back the energy and tempo that MU had lacked for weeks. Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro stabilized the midfield, helping MU escape pressing and retain possession better. Both became crucial parts of the comeback, even though the goalscorers were the two players under the most pressure.
Joshua Zirkzee had a terrible first half. He lacked feel, lacked precision in his play, and continued to raise questions about why Manchester United spent £35 million on a striker who has yet to prove himself in the Premier League.
But Amorim understood that taking the Dutch player off the pitch at that moment would only increase instability. MU lacked options on the bench, but more importantly, they lacked consistency in their belief in new signings. Amorim wanted to send a signal: he deserved to stay on the pitch to redeem himself.
And Zirkzee did just that. The equalizer was the moment every striker needs to open a new chapter. It wasn't just a goal. It was a decisive finish that had been rarely seen from Zirkzee since the start of the season. A moment where he showed he could still be a true attacking force, instead of just a deep-lying, uninspired player.
Amorim has made reasonable adjustments.
Mason Mount, who was once considered a "misinvestment" under Erik ten Hag, also made a significant impact with a razor-sharp finish to put the score at 2-1.
That goal came from a game where MU dominated better in the second half. Amad's speed, Mbeumo's attacking prowess, and Casemiro's ability to control the midfield helped MU become their true selves after the break.
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Ruben Amorim made sensible personnel changes before the match against Palace. |
However, the man who changed everything was Amorim. He didn't say much after the match. Amorim also didn't boast about his tactical adjustments. But the way MU played in the second half showed a team that had been "awakened" at the right moment.
Manchester United didn't panic, nor did they try to deal with reckless long balls. They calmly pushed Crystal Palace back and waited for the right moment to finish them off.
This victory doesn't erase all of MU's problems. They remain vulnerable to direct pressing. The defense still needs stability from De Ligt and Yoro. And Manchester United is still a team that lacks the ability to maintain sharpness away from home.
But at Selhurst Park, they found something crucial: a restoration of confidence. Zirkzee may not be the lethal goalscorer expected, but if he continues to score crucial goals, his value will far outweigh the current criticism. Mount is gradually proving that he still has much to offer. And Amorim, amidst the storm of criticism, has shown he has the fortitude to make the most difficult decisions at the right time.
Manchester United won the match. But more importantly, they won the psychological battle against themselves. And that might be worth more than three points.
Source: https://znews.vn/mu-dung-khi-giu-zirkzee-post1607339.html
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