Man Utd’s players must ‘be BRAVE’ against Arsenal, Ruben Amorim urges

Ruben Amorim has challenged his Manchester United players to be 'brave' and fearless as they travel to the title-chasing Arsenal on Wednesday.

Amorim is unbeaten in his first three games as Manchester United head coach, but he admitted Arsenal are a step up in quality from all the sides he has faced so far.

“It's important to be brave,” he said.

'When I say brave, I don't mean aiming higher all the time, that's not the same. We have to understand the game, the moments of the game and we have to have the ball. That's an important point.

'We want to have the ball and we also want to dominate some moments of the match because we know that in this match it is difficult to control the whole match and if I have to say something [to the players] we have to be brave and play the game.”

Mikel Arteta's side are second in the match, the biggest challengers to leaders Liverpool and six points ahead of United, who are ninth.

“They are by far the best team we have faced, but the test is every game,” he added.

'Last game yesterday [against Everton] was really tough. It was 4-0, but you saw the match as I saw it.

“Every team is now a test, without so many minutes to train, trying to control the number of minutes for many players who cannot imagine one match.

'You have to know that some players have to leave the field within 60 minutes… 70 minutes, so it's really difficult. Everything is a test at this point.

'Arsenal, for me I know it's difficult for Manchester United to say that, but they are at a different point of their team. They are in a different moment.”

Amorim expects to welcome young central defender Leny Yoro to his matchday squad for the first time in his tenure, while captain Bruno Fernandes has shaken off an ankle complaint after watching the match against Everton on the bench with an ice pack on his left ankle.

However, United's head coach will have to do without Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, who are both serving a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.