Ruben Amorim has dropped a team news hint ahead of Manchester United’s clash against Ipswich Town. The 39-year-old will lead the United out for the very first time when he locks horns with Kieran McKenna at Portman Road on Sunday afternoon.
While Amorim has only been given a few days on the training pitches before his debut, the former Sporting boss been determined to install his philosophy at Carrington. He may not have every player at his disposal yet, but they’ll soon begin to filter through the doors as the international break comes to an end.
Those that have had the opportunity to work with Amorim, so far, have been put through their paces, working on their shape. Under the Portuguese tactician, Sporting became synonymous for operating a back-three with flying wing-backs and inside-forwards.
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Unsurprisingly, this formation is exactly what he’s been trying to impose in training. During Amorim’s first opening session at Carrington, the United boss dropped his first team news hint as he walked the players through a 3-4-3 build-up drill this week.
At the back, Jonny Evans was spotted at centre-back, sandwiched by Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw. Antony was operating as a right wing-back with Tyrell Malacia at left wing-back.
Casemiro partnered Kobbie Mainoo in a double pivot, with the former appearing to drop slightly deeper as a six. Up top, Marcus Rashford led the frontline, with Amad Diallo and Mason Mount tucked inside as number 10s.
While, of course, Amorim is unlikely to field this exact side against Ipswich Town, with Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, among other, still to be considered, the United boss’ vision is clear. That said, perhaps Amorim has a different role in mind for Antony, given how ineffective the Brazilian has proved in an attacking position this season.
Speaking to the official club website after penning a three-year deal at Old Trafford, Amorim told fans what to expect at the weekend – and moving forward. He said: “I think you will see an idea. You could like it or not, I don’t know, but you will see an idea.
“You will see a positioning. You will see something that we want to reach that kind of level. You will feel that. We have to know that it’s like two trainings before the first match. This is the best league in the world. But if I have to say something to you, [it’s that] you will see an idea. This I can guarantee.”
Amorim added: “A lot of people now talk about the 3-4-3 and the 4-3-3 and all that stuff,” he said. “But when I think as a player or as a team-mate of Manchester United, it is not a system or formation – it’s like the character of the players, the way they see the club.
“So we have to focus on that before everything [in terms] of how we play, how we press. The most important thing for me, at this moment, is to create the principles, the identity and the character that we had in the past.”
