Rúben Amorim has arrived in England as the newest coach charged with bringing again Manchester United‘s glory days. He is the sixth everlasting boss to take the highest job at Previous Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, following on from David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag. The opposite 5 have overseen blended outcomes, however nobody has but been capable of take United again to the highest within the Premier League or the Champions League.
Nonetheless solely 39, Amorim has cast a repute as among the finest younger coaches in Europe after successful two league titles in control of Sporting CP. He has admitted his process at United shall be tough, however he insists he is prepared for the problem of flipping the fortunes of one of many largest golf equipment on the planet.
Together with his reign set to start out together with his first recreation, in opposition to Ipswich City on Nov. 24, listed here are a number of the massive points dealing with United’s new head coach.
1. Choose his wing-backs
Talking after his closing Sporting recreation on Sunday, Amorim gave his strongest trace but that he intends to play his most popular 3-4-3 system from the off at United, saying: “It’s a must to begin with a construction that you recognize.” There isn’t any purpose why he should not as a result of it is the best way he has been profitable at Sporting. The difficulty, nonetheless, is that he is inheriting a squad constructed for variations of 4-3-3 which suggests, for now, he’ll have to make use of sq. pegs for spherical holes.
United have six senior centre-backs — loads of depth for the three positions within the centre of defence — however discovering wing-backs could be barely extra difficult, opening the door for some gamers to bear a positional makeover. Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw are the obvious candidates for the vast roles, however what about Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo?
Amorim performs with two inside forwards (a pair of inventive No. 10s) somewhat than high-and-wide wingers, which might see Garnacho and Amad accommodated as hybrid full-backs. It will imply taking up extra defensive accountability than they’re used to, one thing that might be realized underneath the correct coach.
2. Discover a place for Marcus Rashford
Amorim’s choice for 3 centre-backs somewhat than two signifies that, due to easy maths as a lot as the rest, United will arrange with one fewer attacking participant within the crew. There shall be a central striker (seemingly Rasmus Højlund or Joshua Zirkzee) with two No. 10s behind him. A type of positions will go to Bruno Fernandes, however the different is up for grabs. It is the more than likely position for Marcus Rashford, however it’ll require compromise from a participant who has made no secret of his choice to play on the left aspect of a entrance three.
Rashford can definitely do the job from an attacking standpoint. Towards the top of his reign, Ten Hag used Rashford as an inside ahead on the correct with Garnacho pushed out on the left wing. It was from there that Rashford hit a wonderful move to Garnacho to attain in opposition to Brentford. The query, although, is whether or not Rashford may be relied upon to do the defensive aspect of the job.
Amorim’s two No. 10s — Francisco Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves, who have been very good in opposition to Manchester Metropolis — are anticipated to press and retreat behind the ball rapidly when possession turns over. One of many criticisms of Rashford from United followers is that he would not all the time work arduous sufficient out of possession, whether or not it is monitoring again or placing stress on the ball. That will not be tolerated by Amorim.
3. Develop Rasmus Højlund
Scoring targets was a giant downside for Ten Hag all through his time in cost and ultimately, it contributed to his downfall. In his two full seasons, United scored 115 Premier League targets; to place that into context, Manchester Metropolis scored 190 over the identical time interval. Newcastle United scored 153. Sporting scored 96 targets on their option to the Portuguese title final season and Amorim wants somebody to place the ball within the web for him at United.
Zirkzee has appeared approach off the tempo since his summer season transfer from Bologna, scoring as soon as in 16 appearances. Højlund seems to be a greater match for Amorim’s system, however he must develop right into a prolific goal-scorer. He is obtained 18 targets in 55 video games since arriving from Atalanta in 2023 and though it is loads to ask for a participant who remains to be solely 21, these numbers want to enhance rapidly.
Amorim obtained the very best out of Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting — he is obtained 66 targets in 68 video games since arriving from Coventry in 2023 — and turned the Sweden worldwide into probably the most sought-after strikers in Europe. If he can do the identical with Højlund, it’ll pave the best way for fulfillment at United.
4. Make Previous Trafford a fortress once more
Amorim is choosing up United from a low ebb. Sitting thirteenth within the desk, expectations for the remainder of this season are modest and he can use that to his benefit. Nobody is anticipating the brand new boss to right away begin sweeping apart Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Arsenal. Making it arduous for opposing groups to get outcomes at Previous Trafford is one thing small, however it could be a step in the correct path.
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Amorim: I understand how I’ll set-up Man United
Ruben Amorim says he’s prepared for the problem at Man United after his closing recreation in control of Sporting.
General, Amorim wants to alter the momentum. United misplaced six of their 19 league video games at house final season, and have already suffered heavy house defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur throughout this marketing campaign.
A brand new coach coming in and attempting to implement a brand new type midseason is all the time going to have teething issues. But when Amorim can begin churning out outcomes at Previous Trafford, it’ll instantly put him heading in the right direction. Dwelling video games in opposition to Bodo/Glimt, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle earlier than the flip of the yr are all winnable.
5. Play with a sample
One of many key criticisms in opposition to Ten Hag throughout his 2½-year tenure was that followers struggled to see what his plan was for this crew. He struggled to implement the short, high-intensity soccer that made him so profitable at Ajax, which left his United crew with no clear id. There is a basic acceptance amongst United supporters that Amorim faces an uphill process within the early months of his reign, but when he can show his tactical rules — aggressive urgent and a excessive line of defense — regularly, it’ll earn him numerous credit score even when outcomes do not instantly observe.
It is seemingly that Amorim should adapt his type to the Premier League and to the gamers he has out there, however a transparent approach of taking part in will assist win over the followers rapidly.
