Man Utd expected XI vs Ipswich as Ruben Amorim immediately makes his mark
Manchester United take on Ipswich Town as Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first Premier League match at Portman Road and looks to inspire the Red Devils into better form
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorRuben Amorim will soon name his first Manchester United starting XI as he enters his debut Premier League match against Ipswich Town.
The Red Devils make the trip to Portman Road on Sunday afternoon with fans and critics alike desperate to see how Amorim lines up his new team. The 39-year-old former Sporting CP boss was appointed United boss at the beginning of November but has waited more than three weeks for his first game in charge.
Amorim has employed a trademark style in his coaching career thus far and there have been questions surrounding whether that would be immediately present at United. All hints are pointing in the direction of the club utilising a 3-4-3 formation moving forwards however.
More time will be required to work out the kinks, but against the Tractor Boys, Amorim will begin to show the world United's future. His decision in goal will likely be a simple one with Andre Onana the club's standout goalkeeper.
In front of the former Ajax shotstopper, a back three of Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez could line up. Leny Yoro has returned to training after spending the season thus far recovering from injury, but the game will likely come too soon for him.
Whether Amorim will make use of full-backs or wingers at wing-backs has been an early consideration but Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are set to start their new boss' opening game. The ex-Benfica midfielder has admitted 'to teach a winger how to defend is harder'.
Amorim's midfield is set to consist of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, who will provide a platform for an attacking trio. Bruno Fernandes is an easy pick in the forward positions with Alejandro Garnacho also acting in support of Marcus Rashford.
There is hope that Amorim can boost the fortunes of the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund. They may be required to wait for the moment.
Mason Mount could also be in contention for a starting spot with Amorim heaping praise on the midfielder. “Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid,” he said on Friday.
“You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. And this is the most important thing for me. I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he’s trying to stay fit and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he’s shown, for example, in Chelsea.”
Man Utd (3-4-3): Onana; De Ligt, Evans, Martinez; Dalot, Mainoo, Casemiro, Mazraoui; Garnacho, Rashford, Fernandes.
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