Welcome to the Radar, a Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a mix of data and opinion to shed light on need-to-know stories from up and down the Premier League. This week:
🔴 Man utd's amorim faithband De Bruyne's sterling appreciation🦅 Eze's Crystal Palace Scoring Run
Man Utd's Amorim Dilemma
There was a huge contrast in the messages of the two managers in the press conference room in San Mames after the final loss of the Europa League of Manchester United against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Shortly before Ange Postecoglou, from all people, came in, winning medal around his neck, and spoke about the importance of adjusting his approach, Ruben Amorim had been on the same chair and said the opposite: “I will not change anything in the way I do things.”
Amorim's way of doing things, of course brought him considerable success in Portugal, and Manchester United knew what they got when they hired him. The former sporting boss arrived with a back three in 188 consecutive competition and European competitions. Six months later that number is 225.
But his resistance still felt shocking in the context of his 17th defeat in 41 games as head coach of Manchester United. It also brought the dilemma that now faced the club in sharp focus.
The defeat on Wednesday, by far the most expensive of a miserable campaign, given the financial implications of missing a Champions League place, was another reminder that the vast majority of Amorim's players is not suitable for its 3-4-2-1 system.
It is clear that extensive changes are needed to equip him with the players he needs to have the chance to make it work. But they will not come cheap. It is problematic in view of the potential impact of no European football on the club that is already entitled to the many.
Moreover, there is no guarantee that the changes would make success. Have the decision makers of the club been seen sufficiently in the last six months to suggest that the required investment level is worth the risk? The results have actually deteriorated since the appointment of Amorim.
They bank on a drastic change of fortunes, but they also have to consider where an expensive recruitment round is tailored to Amorim's specific setup, if he eventually goes.
What utility is wing backs obtained for a potential successor who prefers a rear four? What use is narrow no. 10s for someone who is in favor of Touchline-Barming Wing players?
The accepted wisdom is that Manchester United must break through the cycle of signing players for specific managers and then tearing again and starting again when a change is required. But the care is that minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now maintaining it to maintain it.
Amorim is of course not only in the use of a back three. But he is certainly in a minority among managers. In all Premier League matches this season, celebration are used 77 percent of the time, with spinal cords that used only 23 percent of the time.
The same inequality can be seen in Europe. Simone Inzaghi may still win the Champions League with a back three, but Inter Milan is one of only two games to reach this season's Knock -out stages that usually uses three above four, the other is Amorim's former club Sporting, which have been on their second appointment since his exit, with Rui Borges that Joao Pereira have replaced.
It is not that the system cannot work, it is only that the pool of potential successors of Amorim who actually use is a small one. While Manchester United is committed to their husband, without plans to make a change, the reality is that the moment will come, and it can be rather than they hope.
De Bruyne's Sterling praise
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gave Kieran Tierney and Jorginho the opportunity to say goodbye to the Emirates Stadium with late cameets in the 1-0 victory of last Sunday in Newcastle, but Raheem Sterling, another player who would leave this summer, was an unused replacement.
It is still to be seen whether on the last day on Southampton he will get on Southampton on the last day, but, but, but, because he was unable to leave a stamp during his Chelsea loan period, he looked a somewhat absurd presence during Arsenal's lap of appreciation.
With more than 600 senior games in his legs, Sterling is approaching the twilight of his career at the age of 30, but there was a reminder of how special he was this week when Kevin De Bruyne chose him as his favorite teammate during an interview with Jamie Redknapp.
“He was so good,” De Bruyne told Sky Sports. “I think what makes Raz so complementary for me is that he was a willing runner. He runs deep. Every player who runs deeply helps me so much more because he gives me options to play in space.”
Those runs have become increasingly rare. The playing time of Sterling has fallen to a new low point this season. Arsenal -fans have not seen him at his best and have none of Chelsea, which he has left for another year to walk his contract.
It is unlikely that Sterling will someday receive a broadcast like his former teammate De Bruyne, but his excellent performance, as a player who belongs to the top 20 of the Premier League for both goals and assists, with 123 and 65 in 395 competitions, must not even be forgotten if his powers decrease.
A joy to look
Ebereechi Eze was released on Tuesday for most of the evening against Wolves after his match-winning heroic deeds in Crystal Palace's FA Cup Final Triumph over Manchester City, but he still made his mark and added an excellent fourth goal only five minutes after his introduction.
The 26-year-old is the first palace player since Darren Ambrose in 2009 to score in six consecutive games and he will like to make seven of them, live on Sky Sports, when he stands opposite a Liverpool side in the party mode on Anfield on the last day.
Attention will soon focus on his future. He will not be short of lovers this summer. But for now, provided that he does not play against your team, it is best to just enjoy a player who flourishes in one of the best of the Premier League. He was a pleasure to view this season.
Live Radar: What's on Sky this weekend?
The home game of Liverpool against Crystal Palace and the crucial Champions League decision from Nottingham Forest against Chelsea are live at Sky Sports Premier League and the main event of 3 p.m. on Sundays respectively at 4 p.m.
Read last week's radar column
The completeness of Bruno Guimaraes was the focus of last week's column. There was also a look at how Arsenal Kai Havertz missed and the importance of Mikkel Damsgaard's urgent to Brentford.
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL games next season
From next season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television will be on Sky Sports next season.