Ruben Amorim has made it very clear he will stick to his footballing philosophy from his very first minute as Man United head coach.
One of the biggest criticisms during Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United was that his side lacked a clear style of play.
However, during Amorim’s first interview as United boss, he made it clear that his top priority is building United’s new identity.
It is expected to revolve around Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation which he enjoyed huge success with in Portugal.
Implementing a system and game model so vastly different to what United are used to is Amorim’s biggest challenge, but it is something he is determined to stick to.
It starts with United’s trip to Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon, and all eyes will be on Ruben Amorim‘s team selection.
Six Man United players competing to start under Ruben Amorim
There are so many questions around who will start under Amorim, especially with several United stars returning from injury in time for Sunday’s trip.
The biggest points of interest will be the two wing-back positions. Amorim prefers his side to provide width through wing-backs, and he was asked whether those places would be filled with traditional full-backs or attacking wingers.
Amorim answered: “We should start with full-backs because to teach a winger how to defend is harder.”
That clears that up. At least to begin with, Amorim will put his trust in the likes of Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia to play at wing-back.
However, it means United’s star-studded winger department are now all fighting for just three spots up front.
Ultimately, six players will be competing for those three spots. Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee will all want to claim a starting position.
That doesn’t even include the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen who could also fill the two attacking roles either side of the striker.
It is a conundrum that Amorim will have to mull over.
Man United predicted XI to face Ipswich Town
With just hours to go until Amorim’s first match in charge of United, we can have a good look at who may start in his first-ever lineup.
Mazraoui and Dalot are likely to play in the wing-back roles given that Shaw and Malacia are only just back from injury.
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United are on the brink of a centre-back crisis with Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire all sidelined with injury. With that in mind, Jonny Evans, Matthijs de Ligt and summer signing Leny Yoro are expected to start in Amorim’s three-at-the-back system.
Up front, Rashford could be deployed as a striker, while the two supporting roles are filled by Amad and Fernandes. Hojlund and Garnacho can both have a positive impact from the bench.
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