Ahead of Ruben Amorim's debut as Manchester United head coach, Adrian Clarke looks at how the Portuguese might set up his side.
All eyes will be on Ruben Amorim’s first teamsheet as Manchester United’s head coach this Sunday.
An away trip to Ipswich Town awaits, and the 39-year-old’s starting XI at Portman Road is eagerly anticipated, especially with a change of formation expected.
At his previous club Sporting, Amorim always deployed a three-man defence, either in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 system.
As those are both unfamiliar shapes to the squad he has inherited, his first team selection will be fascinating.
Where will Amorim look to hurt Ipswich?
If Amorim factors in the weaknesses of the opposition, his team is sure to contain high-energy players who will press Ipswich with ferocity.
Closing down aggressively is a key aspect of Amorim's tactical approach anyway, but Kieran McKenna’s men have shown a particular fragility when put under pressure in their own defensive third.
Manchester City, Southampton, Aston Villa and West Ham United all scored against the newly promoted side after winning the ball back in advanced areas.
Forcing Ipswich defenders into making mistakes when playing out from the back is sure to form part of Amorim’s game plan.
Who presses best for Man Utd?
Mason Mount struggled to get regular minutes under Erik ten Hag, but the midfielder has worked all week on the training ground with Amorim, while many of his team-mates were away on international duty.
This could aid his chances of featuring in Sunday’s match at Portman Road.
Mount's style of play will definitely suit the new head coach, who likes his attack-minded players to work hard out of possession.
Mount, who could operate in central midfield or as one of two No 10s, makes more pressures inside the final third than anyone else at Man Utd.
Top Man Utd players for pressures in final third per 90
| Premier League 24/25 | Mins. played | Pressures |
| Mason Mount | 146 | 17.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rasmus Hojlund | 418 | 16.8 |
| Joshua Zirkzee | 430 | 15.1 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 931 | 14.7 |
| Alejandro Garnacho | 712 | 8.8 |
When it comes to the total number of pressures applied per 90 minutes by Man Utd players, Mount also tops the rankings, and by some distance.
He makes an average of 45.6 pressures, with Joshua Zirkzee ranked second on 38.3.
Mount's endeavour, coupled with proven technical ability, will appeal to Amorim.
The 25-year-old will be relishing this fresh start, so do not be surprised if he plays and shines across the next few weeks.
Top Man Utd players for total pressures per 90
| Premier League 24/25 | Mins. played | Pressures |
| Mason Mount | 146 | 45.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Zirkzee | 430 | 38.3 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 931 | 36.5 |
Which forwards will feature in Amorim’s first line-up?
Ipswich's midfield and defence are not among the quickest in the division, and consequently they have been exploited on numerous occasions by fast-running opponents.
Mohamed Salah surged in behind them to great effect when Liverpool won at Portman Road on the opening weekend, while Erling Haaland, Jarrod Bowen, Vitaly Janelt, and Jordan Ayew have also made key contributions against Ipswich with dynamic sprints that opened them up.
In this contest, United will try to play through the thirds, before looking to penetrate the home defence with timely bursts of attacking speed.
United’s quickest players are Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, with Marcus Rashford just a fraction behind.
Amorim likes to attack at pace, so this trio will be at the forefront of his thinking.
The new head coach will certainly want Bruno Fernandes (4.4 runs into the penalty area per 90 minutes) and Rashford (3.3 per 90) to enter the opposition box much more often than they have so far this term.
On Sunday, look out for Garnacho and Amad Diallo offering that penetrative threat, along with striker Hojlund.
Top Man Utd players for runs into penalty area per 90
| Premier League 24/25 | Mins. played | No. runs per 90 |
| Rasmus Hojlund | 418 | 9.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Amad Diallo | 480 | 7.5 |
| Alejandro Garnacho | 712 | 6.3 |
| Mason Mount | 146 | 6.2 |
| Joshua Zirkzee | 430 | 4.8 |
Given Amorim's proven record of trusting and developing youngsters, it would be no surprise if Garnacho and Amad were named in his first starting XI.
Both scored terrific individual goals under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, which will not have gone unnoticed by their new boss.
Will Bruno have a new role?
In Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 formation, Fernandes was used as a No 10, but he will almost certainly have to adapt to a new position.
The captain's most likely role will be as an inverted wide forward. Providing both wing-backs operate high on the outside of Fernandes, that would not be a major difference for him.
Yet we should not rule out the possibility of Amorim experimenting with Fernandes as an orthodox central midfielder.
Speaking last March, the Portugal international was enthused at the prospect of playing a little deeper.
He said: "Against Everton, I played No 6 and I still think it was one of the most complete games I've played, at all levels, in terms of passing, game organisation, defence, tactics.
"I have a little thought in my head that I'm going to end my career further back [in the team], because everyone who started there and went to No 10 ended up retreating on the field at the end.
"It's a position I like, playing deeper, facing the game more. With the ball, it makes my game a lot easier because I have a broader view of the game and it is ideal for what we've talked about with the last pass, which can sometimes come from deeper on the pitch."
In that 2-0 win over Everton in March, Fernandes fired off five shots and made five key passes, prompting his teammates brilliantly from a deeper position.
It should be noted that Amorim did use Pedro Goncalves as a central midfielder on occasion at Sporting, despite him being known as a top-class attacking midfielder.
Could the new head coach start Fernandes there against Ipswich?
With Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo all available it feels unlikely, but do not rule it out.
How radical will Amorim’s changes be?
Based on recent form and player availability, Amorim is unlikely to make sweeping changes for his debut.
It is expected he will opt for a 3-4-2-1 formation, and within that the biggest surprise might be the use of Amad Diallo as an attacking wing back.
Diogo Dalot could easily slip into a right centre-back role, while it should be a straight contest between Garnacho and Rashford for the right to partner Fernandes behind the main striker.
Possible Man Utd starting XI v Ipswich
As time progresses, Amorim could make some more radical changes.
In a 3-4-3 system, he will almost certainly deploy two fast wingers out wide.
To balance that out, we may see more pragmatic choices at wing back, but one central midfielder could be handed licence to surge forward with regularity.
This is where Fernandes and Mount may fit in, and United’s new head coach may also be tempted to try Rashford as his central striker.
Possible future Man Utd starting XI
Facing an Ipswich side who will have been boosted by their first Premier League win away to Tottenham Hotspur represents a challenging start for Amorim.
For Man Utd, his arrival as head coach heralds an exciting new era.
One or two clues of what is to come should emerge from Sunday’s match.