Ruben Amorim may have to re-think his favoured tactics going into his first game as Manchester United manager.
The last thing you want in your first couple weeks as manager of a new club is important players being injured, and United have a fair few injuries to attend to. Although this is a challenge that all managers will likely face in their career, Amorim is unfortunate enough to have it happen to him before his first match.
The Portuguese manager took Sporting CP to the top of their respective league playing in his celebrated 3-4-3 formation. Fans are expecting to see this play-style at United as well, however, it might not be from the get-go.
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Amorim will be facing a backline headache as six defenders are doubtful with injuries for their managers debut game against Ipswich on Sunday.
Lisandro Martinez was the one of the latest to be added to the long list of injuries as he missed out on international duty recently. He suffered a lower back injury in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final game as interim manager against Leicester.
It’s likely that Amorim was watching international duty biting his nails, hoping more players wouldn’t be rule out. But it was Victor Lindelof who went off 25 minutes into Sweden’s win over Slovakia. The severity of the injury is unknown.
Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are the other defenders who are all waiting to come back from injury. So, who does Amorim actually have to pick from for his backline.
The players who are fit are still highly skilful players. These include Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui. Amorim now has a jigsaw puzzle to solve, deciding where his four remaining defenders go in his back three – or a back five with two wing backs.
De Ligt and Evans stand out as clear centre backs. The Dutch centre back hasn’t been able to find the form that fans know he can achieve just yet. Evans has also struggled this season after his resurgence into the starting XI under Erik ten Hag last year.
Dalot and Mazraoui will likely have to act as the wing backs, something the pair have proven they are capable of this season. However, who fits into the final central defencive role to make Amorim’s iconic back three work?
Although Kobbie Mainoo returned to training on Monday, it would seem a waste of the midfielders talent to put him in the back line. His passing abilities and skill to turn with the ball would be too precious in midfield. The same would go for other defensive midfielders like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
This is what puts the Portuguese’s ideal formation in jeopardy. Playing a traditional back four might be what Amorim needs to do, not wants to do. This means fans may have to wait a bit longer to see what Amorim can truly get out of this United side. They face Ipswich at Portman road on Sunday at 16:30.
