Ruben Amorim will oversee training for the first time this morning as a new era dawns at Manchester United.
Amorim arrived in the country last week and spent time getting his feet under the table at Carrington. The work will ramp up this week as players return from international duty and time off to begin preparation for the trip to Ipswich Town on Sunday.
The appointment of the 39-year-old has raised morale among supporters that progress will soon come at Old Trafford despite United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Amorim will clearly want to put his own stamp on the side but will also require time given he is inheriting a squad largely formed by Erik ten Hag, and won’t be able to enforce swathes of change until the summer given the January transfer window is a notoriously difficult time to conduct business.
With that in mind we cast an eye over the squad situation and where the players stand as Amorim gets to work.
ALSO READ: Ruben Amorim to take training but Manchester United still face visa wait
ALSO READ: I taught Ruben Amorim about coaching – this is why he will be a success at United
Safe as houses
Those players who’s squad status is not in question and are likely to form the base for Amorim and United moving forward.
Andre Onana is undisputed first choice in goal and is showing the form, character and credentials of a top Premier League keeper. Should Amorim implement a back three then Lisandro Martinez looks tailor-made for the left sided centre half position. The Argentine has been a consistent performer and was one of Erik ten Hag’s better signings.
Mathijs De Ligt may still be in his infancy at United and is somewhat hampered with the Ten Hag signing Dutch players moniker, but he’s showed his capabilities since coming into the side, was a big money addition only in the summer and may be suited to the shape Amorim deploys. There is a lot of hype surrounding Leny Yoro, who United beat Real Madrid to sign in the summer. Injury has meant he’s yet to feature but the talented youngster is highly thought of and his age and ability should suit both Amorim and Ineos.
Noussair Mazraoui has been perhaps the surprise signing of the summer and the former Bayern Munich man has done enough to justify his spot in United’s current best XI. It remains to be seen whether Amorim feels he is a natural first choice in a wing back role but the 27-year-old’s versatility means he will prove more than handy moving forward.
Into midfield and skipper Bruno Fernandes will be a key figure in the next few months. The skipper’s role in a 3-4-3 might be somewhat unclear but he can be a creative spark for United. Manuel Ugarte, who impressed under Amorim in Portugal, looks set for one of the defensive roles while young prospects Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho could be United regulars for years to come.
Point to prove
Let’s start with the one glaring positional admission from above – up top.
Rasmus Hojlund is likely to be the focal point of the attack and while the Dane has performed capably, he is yet to elevate himself into the top echelons of Premier League strikers. His age and development must be taken into account but the frontman could do with another solid scoring season to prove he is the man to lead the line moving forward.
The same points could be applied to Joshua Zirkee, even if he sees himself as a second striker rather than a centre forward. He’s mustered just the one goal but could forge himself a role as one of Amorim’s double number 10s and also must be given time having only arrived in the summer.
Then there is Marcus Rashford. His ability is unquestioned but his consistency has been lacking for 18 months. If Amorim can get the best out of the forward on a weekly basis, and find him a suitable home in his shape, then Rashford can prove a key cog.
Defensively, Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire will hope for playing time but neither looks assured of a long term spot in the side. Maguire has back three experience and is a safe option when required but the days of him being a regular starter for United look like they are consigned to the past. Dalot has played regularly across both sides of the back four and is another who might have eyes on a wing back berth. But the Portuguese international must find consistency in his performances and show Amorim he has the credentials necessary to fulfil the role.
Back up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir knows Onana will be a tough object to shift but will be targeting more minutes under Amorim than he was afforded under Ten Hag.
Work to do
Casemiro has enjoyed something of a recent renaissance in the middle of midfield and may well start at Ipswich on Saturday. But he struggled last season and his age and wages mean his Old Trafford future is far from secure. Amorim might look for a younger option in the engine room and Casemiro must deliver again and again to show the new boss he deserves a starting spot.
Fitness issues have hampered Luke Shaw and Mason Mount across their United careers and while both will look at 3-4-3 and feel they suit the shape perfectly, neither has a fitness record to be relied upon and both will want to ensure they stay injury free long enough to show Amorim what they can offer.
Out of contract pair Johnny Evans and Christian Eriksen face uncertain futures and while both have plenty to offer in squad roles, Amorim is unlikely to view either as starters
Last chance saloon
Antony heads the category given his poor form and huge price tag. It feels as though the Brazilian’s Old Trafford opportunity has been and gone but he will hope Amorim can provide him with a lifeline.
Tyrell Malacia made his comeback this week after 18 months on the sidelines and you sense it is now or never for him at United while Victor Lindelof and Tom Heaton are out of contract in the summer and are unlikely to be offered many minutes moving forward.
