Manchester United: Ruben Amorim’s To Do List
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim will be in the Manchester United hotseat for the first time this weekend as the Red Devils take on Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
The now Sir Jim Ratcliffe guided side are riddled with problems, with United fans craving identity and effort on the pitch as this new era begins at Old Trafford. With that being said, what is first on the list for Amorim’s attention as he looks to save this season and look forward to success in the future.
Formation
Amorim is known for being the style of manager that believes in his style of play, a ‘this is how I play’ style of coach, but in the immediate future, that will be difficult for him in Manchester. Identity has been a phrase thrown about a lot in Manchester over recent years, and the Portuguese boss has made it a real goal for him to implement here.
At Sporting Lisbon, Amorim has adopted a 3-4-2-1 formation, utilising wingbacks and attacking player in behind a central striker. The two players in behind the striker can push forward into wingers and a front three or create from behind.
Whilst the flexibility of the formation will be suited to several members of the current United squad, there is a lot of gaps before this can be created to Amorim’s desired level.
The defensive area has been a concern at Carrington for a long time and the club’s current personnel make wingbacks an interesting proposition. Playing a back three is more than possible, with the speed and flexibility of Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof, plus Matthijs de Ligt played within one at times, during his spell at Juventus.
So, does Amorim deploy the clubs current fullbacks further up the pitch, or bring some wingers like Alejandro Garnacho further back. Garnacho’s defensive work would be a question, but the likes of Noussair Mazroui and Diogo Dalot could make the jump forward. The gaping left-footed defender hole will remain their though.
Wingbacks are a question mark, as for the attacking portion of the formation? More than possible. Marcus Rashford could benefit from being forced to drop deeper and be more central, although his backtracking will always remain a concern. Bruno Fernandes and Garnacho are a strong fit, as his Mason Mount when fit.
“I do not know about repair. But like I said, we have space to grow as a team. I think we have to improve in a lot of areas and in the understanding of the game. I know it is a different way of playing and we are changing in the middle of the season. I think we have to improve the physical aspect of the team, it is something that we want to improve.” (via The Athletic)
Formation will be a problem for Amorim for now, but little things can be implemented as he tries to build up to it. He will have had less than a week with the full squad, so whether he plays it safe, or goes full guns, will be seen on Sunday. Certainly, the personnel will make it difficult to put his true stamp down immediately.
Midfield Control
One of Manchester United’s biggest problems under former boss Erik ten Haag was the team’s midfield. They spent big two seasons ago to bring in Casemiro, with the Brazilian trying, but underwhelming and failing to plug consistent problems.
As Amorim comes in, the problems remain, a lack or control, consistency and direction, between to two or three midfielders on the pitch.
No matter the formation, it seems that Amorim will play with two deeper midfield players behind several attackers, so the formula essentially remains the same.
What needs to be done, is find a balance, a pair that works together, and strong instructions, because United’s midfield cannot be overrun if they are to succeed at any level.
Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte is a name that was tipped to change the team’s fortunes at the start of the season, but as usual, has failed to get up to speed. Amorim could be the key to unlocking his quality. Ugarte fits Amorim’s midfield profile, able to collect the ball deep, and work in transition to get the ball forward. Kobbie Mainoo, whilst currently has less experience, fits the profile too, and adds some defensive awareness. It’s finding the balance that will be key.
At Sporting, Amorim’s midfield were usually the unsung hero of team, and it’s assumed that he will want the same here. Truthfully it needs to be this way, for far too long United’s midfield has been one of the larger problems alongside the team’s leaky defence, and creating a cohesive, working midfield will make or break the Portuguese early on.
Strikers, Strikers, Strikers.
Whose job is to score the goals? Mostly the strikers, and Manchester United’s have gone missing.
Whilst almost everything needs tweaking at Old Trafford, the strikers and their lack of goals just adds to the list of problems for Amorim.
Manchester United Goal Scorers 24/25
Rasmus Hojlund cost the club over £60 million in 2023, he showed potential in year one but has failed to hit heights and picked up several injuries. This season he has one goal in seven Premier League appearances this season, and his new counterpart Joshua Zirkzee also has just one goal. Striker goals are a problem.
Amorim helped elevate Viktor Gyorkeres to an elite level, after he showcased his goalscoring prowess at Coventry City. He will need to find the same magic in Hojlund if he wants to succeed in the same way. The Danish forward fits the bill for the type of player Amorim likes, it’s just about translating his play in connecting himself with other United attackers and get the goals flowing.
Transfers
A difficult one. Funds are low, in correlation to the teams at the top of the Premier League, and it would appear United have bought into this project, so spending is not an immediate project.
With that being said, the next month, or the rest of the season, gives Amorim time to think about what to do with his squad.
If he goes to his more traditional formation, will wingbacks be on the list? Can he find the midfield solution? Is there still deadweight to move on? And where are the serious goals going to come from in this team?
Fixing the left side of defence is already a priority and not one that will go away. Finding the correct attackers will be something that is addressed and could be done sooner, if the next month does not go as planned.
So, it is a long road ahead for Ruben Amorim, but one most at United seem invested in. The Portuguese manager is a strong willed person and has already outlined his desire to stamp identity on the pitch first. He has not yet had a lot of time with his squad, so the team that walks out on Sunday may not be a direct image of himself, but it will most likely continue to outline the lengthy to do list he has, in order to deliver success.
