Amad to shine, Bruno to struggle - Ranking how Man Utd's stars will fit into Amorim's plans

Man Utd's new manager Ruben Amorim will soon take over at Old Trafford and bring with him a unique 3-4-2-1 system.

One of the reasons Ruben Amorim didn't move to another club in the summer was his desire to stick with this system, but Man Utd seem happy for him to do so, and after he guided Sporting to thrash Man City in the Champions League, fans will be buzzing.

However...

"We cannot transport one reality to another context," Amorim said in a recent press conference, tempering expectations.

"Manchester United cannot play the way we play, they cannot play so defensively, and we will have to adapt ourselves."

These comments will make Man Utd fans worry that Amorim will arrive without a major thing that makes his arrival so exciting: the system!

But is he right? Can Man Utd play like Sporting? Well, for that it's down to training time but also the players. Which Man Utd players suit Ruben Amorim's system? Which don't? Let's have a look!

Ranking the Man Utd squad

A Great Fit

1. Kobbie Mainoo: With his technique, athleticism and ball-carrying ability, Kobbie is a hand-in-glove fit with the way Amorim plays football. The only problem he's going to have is that someone else already has the no. 7 shirt he is destined to wear.

2. Rasmus Hojlund: When your mum tells you that you've got Viktor Gyokeres at home but you do, in fact, have Viktor Gyokeres at home. Hojlund is such a sublime fit for this system. No one is ready for what's about to happen.

3. Amad Diallo: Often neglected under Erik ten Hag, Amad's intelligence and ability to dribble is going to make him a favourite of Ruben Amorim's.

4. Leny Yoro: In a genius move, Leny Yoro managed to avoid ever having to play for Erik ten Hag and now he walks into a manager who wants physically aggressive, technically competent centre-backs. Yoro slides into the back three superbly.

5. Alejandro Garnacho: Blessed with almost endless stamina and a great desire to attack open spaces, Garnacho will be a huge success at "wing-back" should Ruben Amorim ever put him there. See what Maxi Araujo did to Man City? Yeah, that.

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6. Noussair Mazraoui: Technically competent and physically superb. Mazraoui will lock down a wing-back spot or could maybe even be a wide centre-back if needs be.

7. Andre Onana: Onana's passing ability was massively underutilised by Erik ten Hag. Expect Ruben Amorim to take full advantage of it!

8. Manuel Ugarte: He literally played for Ruben Amorim's Sporting. Like, this is a dream come true for him.

9. Lisandro Martinez: Martinez should suit the back three wonderfully, especially the increased playmaking responsibilities. The problem for him will always be that he's built like a large child, otherwise he'd be much higher on the list.

Should Be Good

10. Marcus Rashford: He can dribble and he can score. For fun. Will he? At this point only time will tell, so we leave him here for now.

11. Tyrell Malacia: As long as his knee is healed, Malacia could become a fixture at full-back. Full of the kind of attacking vigor Ruben Amorim loves.

12. Bruno Fernandes: Man Utd's best player may find it hard to readjust to playing structured team football rather than manic heroball (just like Steven Gerrard never reached his true potential) especially with an emphasis on ball-carrying, but he's a magnificent player so can't leave him too low.

13. Matthijs De Ligt: He's big and technically sound (at least, he used to be). Ruben Amorim should be able to remind him of that.

The Back-ups

14. Antony: Skilled but not smart, a good coach and system could really help!

15. Diogo Dalot: Great crosses, beautiful crosses.

16. Harry Maguire: He does his best work in a back three so should be a more than reliable back-up when Martinez inevitably gets hurt.

17. Jonny Evans: A leader and organiser, a back three will protect him.

18. Christian Eriksen: Technically sublime but can he run like Ruben Amorim needs? Probably not.

19. Harry Amass: He won't be found wanting for effort.

20. Casemiro: Chachu Case doesn't appear to have the legs for it, sadly.

21. Altay Bayindir: A decent understudy.

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Broke Boys

22. Mason Mount: A pressing marvel. Shame about the injuries.

23. Luke Shaw: Pointless to say, but if he stays fit he'll be incredible.

The Other Guys

24. Joshua Zirkzee: Even if he gets back in shape there's only one striker and it ain't gonna be him. A tough spot.

25. Tom Heaton: Back-up.

26. Victor Lindelof: Comfortably the worst player in the Man Utd squad and almost single-handedly responsible for two consecutive Europa League eliminations. He is absolutely terrible and so any talk of fitting the system is pointless when the quality is so clearly lacking.