How Man Utd will line up under Ruben Amorim

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 24 Nov 2024 08:29 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United have entered a new era with the confirmation that Ruben Amorim is their new head coach.

Amorim has taken the place of Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on 28 October following a 2-1 Premier League loss to West Ham, a result that left the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table at the time.

After a brief negotiation, Man Utd acted decisively to bring the Portuguese to Old Trafford, with the new manager set to beginning his new challenge on 11 November,

Amorim was previously linked with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, so for United to capture his signature is seen as quite a coup.

In any case, the 39-year-old has been handed his first test - a debut game against Ipswich Town. Man Utd have travelled to Portman Road ahead of the late kick-off on Sunday.

But, in a general sense, how will Amorim set up his Man Utd team going into the early stages of his tenure?

READ MORE: Five players Ruben Amorim could sign for Man Utd

How will Ruben Amorim line up at Man Utd?

Amorim may opt to adapt his tactical set-up if he joins Man Utd, but he is likely to line up in a 3-4-3 system.

He has almost exclusively used this formation during his time at Sporting and while Man Utd have never consistently deployed this system in the Premier League era, Amorim’s arrival could change that.

The Portuguese tactician encourages his wing-backs to play a key attacking role, with current Tottenham Hotspur star Pedro Porro registering 14 goal contributions during the first half of the 2022-23 season while under Amorim’s guidance at Sporting.

Meanwhile, the double pivot in Amorim’s system are required to cover large spaces and dominate defensively, a style that has benefitted Joao Palhinha (now at Bayern Munich), Matheus Nunes (now at Manchester City) and current Man Utd midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Morten Hjulmand has also become a highly sought-after player since linking up with Amorim in Lisbon.

Inside forwards Marcus Edwards, or Francisco Trincao, and Pedro Goncalves are required to provide creativity, while a large proportion of Sporting’s goals come from centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres.

Man Utd starting XI under Ruben Amorim

Despite a shaky start at Man Utd, Andre Onana has established himself as a solid goalkeeper at Old Trafford and he will remain as the club’s No.1 under Amorim.

Amorim is expected to demand reinforcements in January and next summer, but he will have to make do with Man Utd’s current set of players until then.

As a result, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are the most likely centre-backs to be deployed in his back three system.

Luke Shaw is perennially injured so a left wing-back will be prioritised by Amorim, although Diogo Dalot may be forced to fill in for now, with Noussair Mazraoui on the opposite flank.

Ugarte should thrive under his former Sporting boss, while Kobbie Mainoo will likely partner him in midfield, but it remains to be seen if Amorim’s system suits the England international.

Sporting signed the aforementioned Goncalves as Bruno Fernandes’ replacement, and the Man Utd captain will likely play in the same role as his countryman upon Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford.

As a result, Marcus Rashford could drop out of the starting XI, with Alejandro Garnacho as an inside forward on the right and Rasmus Hojlund through the middle.

GK: Andre Onana

RCB: Leny Yoro

CB: Matthijs de Ligt

LCB: Lisandro Martinez

RWB: Noussair Mazraoui

CM: Manuel Ugarte

CM: Kobbie Mainoo

LWB: Diogo Dalot

RF: Alejandro Garnacho

LF: Bruno Fernandes

ST: Rasmus Hojlund