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Ruben Amorim’s strongest Manchester United's XI with new boss poised to bring in big changes.
Manchester United has confirmed the appointment of Sporting coach Ruben Amorim as their next permanent manager following the decision to break parts with Erik ten Hag.
With Manchester United announcing the appointment of Ruben Amorim, the big issue is how the team will look under the new manager at Old Trafford.
United have confirmed the upcoming arrival of Sporting Lisbon coach Amorim, having picked the 39-year-old as the coach who would lead them out of their current problem and back to the top. The club issued a statement regarding the appointment, stating his first day on the job as November 11.
Amorim is committed to a 3-4-3 shape, and it seems unlikely that a move to the Premier League would cause him to abandon the philosophy and system that has served him so well in his own Portugal.
United is accustomed to a typical back four, with two holding midfielders, a No.10 flanked by two wide men, and a No.9 leading the assault. However, when Amorim joins at United, the players may say goodbye to 4-2-3-1.
Such a strategy necessitates versatile centre-backs and full-backs who can press forward and play as wing-backs, attacking opponents and stretching their players across the entire pitch.
While the formation change may represent a cultural shift for United's players and fans, Amorim remains loyal to the club's great attacking legacy of playing reckless football with a desire to amuse.
But does United have the personnel to play the Amorim style? Or will he need to rotate players over time and bring in those capable of translating his ideology from the training ground to the pitch?
United have full-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui who are comfortable playing higher up the pitch and attacking from wide areas, but Amorim may aim to replace both of them with upgrades.
It remains to be seen whether United's centre-backs - Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans, and Harry Maguire - can adapt to playing in a back-three, but if not, they will be dropped.