Red Devils fans are excited to see the new coach's heralded system in action on Sunday at Portman Road – but who deserves to start?
There could hardly be more excitement about Ruben Amorim's first game in charge of Manchester United and the wait is almost over. The Portuguese will finally lead the Red Devils out away to Ipswich Town on Sunday, 27 days after Erik ten Hag was sacked and 23 days after it was confirmed that the 39-year-old was going to take his place.
Amorim left Sporting CP in the best shape imaginable but he joins a United side who are in the midst of the latest of many crises in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era, looking hopelessly off the pace with the Premier League's leading sides and even further behind Europe's elite. He has had nearly two weeks to get his feet under the table and assess his squad and has taken several training sessions, being left aghast by the lack of intensity on display.
The coach is renowned for playing a 3-4-3 formation and has made it clear he intends to stick with that tried and tested shape at United, already putting it into practice in training. But who will get the nod when he names his first line-up at Portman Road? GOAL runs through the starting XI Amorim should pick in order to make the best possible start.
GettyGK: Andre Onana
The Cameroonian has made a huge improvement from his shaky early days and he has been one of the best performers this season, making tremendous saves against Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce while ironing out the errors that plagued his start to life at Old Trafford. He is yet to make a big contribution to United's possession game, which, after all, is what he was brought to the club to do. But that should change with Amorim and the new formation. Onana's best season came while playing with a back three at Inter, and having an extra centre-back to pass to should benefit him.
AdvertisementGetty RCB: Matthijs de Ligt
United might have a centre-back shortage at the moment but the Dutchman is fully fit, playing 90 minutes for his country against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. The former Ajax captain had a bit of a rough start to life in the Premier League but he has settled into the team recently and delivered much improved performances under Ruud van Nistelrooy, showing his power in the air and looking more assured in possession.
GettyCB: Jonny Evans
With Lisandro Martinez being sent home from the Argentina camp, Victor Lindelof getting injured with Sweden and Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire still getting back to full fitness, all signs point to the 36-year-old marshalling the defence in Amorim's dugout debut. The veteran centre-back might not be the picture of renewal United are hoping for but he is the safe pair of hands the new coach needs in his first game in a new league. Evans can always be relied upon and he comes into his element at tricky Premier League grounds, producing a man-of-the-match display at Burnley last season and keeping Aston Villa at bay last month with an immaculate second-half performance from the bench.
Getty Images SportLCB: Noussair Mazraoui
The Morocco international has been one of United's best players in recent weeks, starring against Chelsea and getting an assist against Leicester. He has played as both a right-back and a left-back, although he has impressed more in the latter role, inverting into midfield when United have possession. He could play as a wing-back, but his defensive attributes makes him better suited to playing on the left of the back three, where he can help out the left winger while also joining the midfield when appropriate.
