Wayne Rooney has singled out a Manchester United star who was a real headache against Liverpool, despite the quality performance from Matheus Cunha at Anfield.
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim shook up his tactics for Manchester United’s first Premier League clash in the aftermath of the October international break.
The 40-year-old United manager dropped striker Benjamin Sesko to the bench for the visit to Anfield and deployed Matheus Cunha in the left-sided No 10 role on Sunday.
Cunha, who arrived at Old Trafford from Wolves in the summer, was supported in the United attacking threat against Liverpool by Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount, with the latter playing down the middle.
The 26-year-old Brazil international did not score or assist in United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, but Cunha was a lively presence across the 90 minutes at Anfield.
Matheus Cunha impressed vs Liverpool, but Amad Diallo caught the eye of Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney
Matheus Cunha earned praise for his performance on the weekend, while Amad Diallo’s efforts for Manchester United were also recognised during the match.
Amad Diallo was deployed as a right wing-back for Sunday’s 2-1 win and the 23-year-old Ivorian winger linked up superbly well with Bryan Mbeumo on the right.
The Ivory Coast international had an early impact against Liverpool after Amad played Mbeumo through for United’s opener in only the second minute of the tie.
Wayne Rooney has now said that Amad was a real handful for Liverpool before the United star came off early in the second half of the Premier League clash at Anfield.
“I think positionally, as you said then, Amad was causing problems,” he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show.
“He was always in between, so Liverpool [players] didn’t know who to pick him up and I thought, as I said, tactically, with no striker, it really worked and caused Liverpool big problems.”
Wayne Rooney is deeply critical of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk after Man Utd’s win at Anfield
United legend Rooney suggested that Virgil van Dijk “switched off” for United’s early opener at Anfield after the Liverpool star failed to pick up on the threat of Mbeumo.
“I thought Van Dijk, for the first goal, he was really at fault,” he explained.
“It was similar to the goal against Chelsea, where he’s gone for the initial header and I think he’s gone into the back of [Alexis] Mac Allister.
“And then he didn’t switch on quick enough and then Mbeumo, I think he [Van Dijk] was five yards ahead of Mbeumo, and he switched off and Mbeumo has gone in behind him.”
Rooney continued: “We’ve seen that a lot this season from him and I think, I don’t know if it’s a bit of complacency after winning the Premier League title last season or what that is, but it’s not really something you really associate with Van Dijk and I think [it’s happened] a few times this season now.
“So, I think that’s a bit of a concern for Liverpool, but take nothing away from Man United.”
United will now be back in Premier League action on Saturday at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils hosting Brighton for a 5:30pm kick-off time in the UK.
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