Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag after a disappointing start to the 2024/25 campaign, with Ruben Amorim replacing him.
Manchester United will be hoping to get their season back on track, and they have appointed Ruben Amorim as their new manager. The 39-year-old Portuguese manager is highly rated across Europe, and he has impressed with his exploits at Sporting CP.
Amorim has guided them to two league titles during his four years at the club, and he will now be expected to inspire Manchester United back to the top of English football. There is no doubt that Manchester United have a talented squad at their disposal and that they have been underperforming in the last few seasons. It will be interesting to see if the 39-year-old can get the best out of his players.
Apart from the inability to get the best out of his squad, Erik ten Hag was heavily criticised for not being able to assert his vision and implement a distinct style of play at Manchester United. However, that is unlikely to be the case under Amorim, who has a clear identity in terms of philosophy and playing style.
The Portuguese manager prefers a 3-4-3 formation with short passing and a high-pressing approach. He is unlikely to venture away from his usual style here and he has hinted the same as well.
He said recently, “I have to start from something I know very well and then develop that with the players. We don’t have much time to train, there are many games, so I’ll start from a structure I know very well.”
Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at how Manchester United could line up under their new manager.
Defence
In the back three, Matthijs de Ligt is likely to take up the central role. The wider roles are likely to be reserved for Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez. Ruben Amorim will need players with impressive distribution skills and energy in that department, and Yoro and Martinez would be ideal for Manchester United.
Martinez, in particular, could be vital, and he could replicate Goncalo Inacio’s role at Manchester United. Inacio was expected to help out defensively and build from the deep with his passing as well. Similarly, Yoro will be expected to help out defensively and add control and composure to the side with his passing from the right side of the back three.
Wing-backs
Manchester United are currently lacking a specialist wing-back, and it will be interesting to see how Ruben Amorim addresses that issue. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are more suited to the roles of a right-back instead. Manchester United might have to bring in reinforcement in that department going ahead.
For now, Dalot and Mazraoui are likely to take up the role, and it remains to be seen whether they can deliver. The wing-back role is a vital one under Amorim, and they will be expected to protect the central defenders and help create goalscoring opportunities for the side as well.
In addition, they will add width to the team as well. Dalot’s youthful energy could be ideal in that role. On the left, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have had persistent injury problems, and they might not be able to handle the physical demands of the role. It will not be a surprise if a makeshift option is deployed in that role for the time being.
Midfield
In the middle of the park, Manuel Ugarte will be one of the first names on the teamsheet. The Uruguay international has been reunited with Ruben Amorim, and he is likely to take up his usual role in the middle of the park.
Ugarte was expected to break down opposition attacking moves and win the ball back for his side during his time at Sporting CP, and he will be tasked with a similar role here. He is a tried and tested option in Amorim-ball, and the Portuguese manager will rely on him to fulfil a familiar role.
Kobbie Mainoo will partner Ugarte in the middle of the park in the long run. The Manchester United youngster will help out defensively and add control and drive to the side. His ability to drive the team forward could come in handy. Both players have the discipline and work ethic to operate in a high-pressing system, and their youthful energy could prove to be crucial.
Attack
Rasmus Hojlund is undoubtedly the most likely candidate to lead the line for Manchester United, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in support. Amorim prefers his wide attackers to drift inside centrally and contribute between the lines as well.
Fernandes could be the ideal option in that role, and he could excel with his creativity and goalscoring ability. Similarly, Rashford prefers to cut inside from the left and he could thrive in that system.
Manchester United probable starting lineup under Ruben Amorim
