Ruben Amorim's first formation, what he'll want from Man Utd and what fans can expect

Ruben Amorim is in the dugout with Manchester United for the first time on Sunday as the Red Devils face Ipswich at Portman Road - but what can fans expect to see from the new head coach?

Ruben Amorim makes his Premier League debut as a manager on Sunday when Manchester United face Ipswich Town.

The Portuguese mastermind, 39, was named as Erik ten Hag's successor after the Dutchman's largely catastrophic two-and-a-bit year spell at Old Trafford, which saw FA Cup winners United finish in a Premier League record-low eighth-place last season. Ruud van Nistelrooy kept things ticking over for the Red Devils before Amorim eventually arrived in the north west during the international break, and Sunday's clash at Portman Road will see the tactician's first outing.

A former Benfica midfielder, Amorim has achieved Primeira Liga greatness as both a player and a manager over the years. He kicked off his coaching career with Casa Pia in 2018, spending just one year with the Lisbon-based outfit before being snapped up by Braga. Just one year with the club saw Amorim lift the 2019/20 Taca da Liga, before a move to Sporting CP ensued.

The manager saw a wealth of success with the Portuguese giants, lifting another two Taca da Liga titles and two Primeira Liga trophies, before a move to United materialised. But what can fans of the Old Trafford elite expect to see when Amorim makes his debut on the sidelines on Sunday? Here, Mirror Football breaks it down...

How has Amorim set up in the past?

Amorim is known for his brilliant communication, as well as his tactical prowess and ability to adapt in game. With Sporting, it is said that the manager created a positive atmosphere and made each and every player feel as though they were vital to the side's successes, treating his players as people more than athletes.

With Sporting, Amorim rolled out a 3-4-3 formation, reliant on defensive midfielders to help cover the back line. Meanwhile, pacey wing-backs were utilised to get the ball forward. Playing using a low-block, Amorim seemed to favour a defensive approach to his matches, his side keeping a compact shape while pressing intensely to win the ball back in the final third.

His first game for Sporting CP at the back end of the 2019/20 season, Amorim guided his side to a comfortable 2-0 victory at home. The 3-4-3 was utilised during the game, with Marcos Acuna and Stefan Ristovski providing an attacking output from their respective wing-back positions, while Wendel and Rodrigo Battaglia were instrumental in helping cover the defensive line from the centre of the park and achieving the clean sheet.

Andraz Sporar and Luciano Vietto scored during the game, which saw Sporting retain 83 per cent possession throughout, allowing Deportivo to have just three shots over the course of the full 90 minutes. Sporting, meanwhile, enjoyed 22 attempts on goal, 14 corners, and goalkeeper Luís Maximiano was only forced to make two saves in total.

What formation and set-up could Amorim opt for with United?

But how will Amorim transfer his vision to a United team which have struggled this season – with a record of four wins, three draws and four losses in their opening 11? According to @ThreadManChaza on X, Amorim's first training session with the Red Devils saw him utilise a similar approach to that seen during his time with Sporting.

Tyrell Malacia and Antony occupied the wing-back roles on the training pitch, while Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro covered the centre of the park playing as staggered No. 6s. Amad and Mason Mount trained in attacking midfield roles, while Marcus Rashford lead the line from centre-forward.

Meanwhile, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans occupied the centre-half roles in the clips shared to social media, as the side were seen trying to move the ball quickly with measured pressing out of possession. Should this be the team that Amorim selects to start against Ipswich on Sunday, United fans may be in for a delightful watch – especially given the experimentation of trialling Antony as a wing-back as opposed to his favoured position as a high winger.

Fans will also be eager to see summer signing Yoro in action for the first time, having missed all of United's games this season thus far due to an ankle injury picked up in pre-season. However, questions will undoubtedly be asked of star players Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, should they be omitted from the fold.

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