Garnacho Takes on New Role, Rashford Omitted: Amorim's Ideal Line-Up for Man Utd

The excitement surrounding Ruben Amorim's first game in charge of Manchester United is palpable, and the wait is nearly over. The Portuguese manager will finally lead the Red Devils to Ipswich Town on Sunday, marking 27 days since Erik ten Hag’s sacking and 23 days since Amorim's appointment.

Having left Sporting CP in top form, Amorim now takes charge of a United side mired in crisis, struggling to keep up with the Premier League's top teams and lagging even further behind Europe’s elite. He’s had almost two weeks to settle in, assess his squad, and take several training sessions—during which he was reportedly shocked by the lack of intensity.

Amorim is known for his preferred 3-4-3 formation, and he’s made it clear that he plans to stick with this setup at United, already implementing it in training. But who will he choose for his first lineup at Portman Road? Betimate takes a look at the starting XI Amorim should select to make the best possible start to his tenure.

GK: Andre Onana

The Cameroonian goalkeeper has made significant progress since his rocky start, becoming one of United's standout performers this season. He’s delivered crucial saves against Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce, while steadily eliminating the mistakes that marked his early days at Old Trafford. Although he has yet to make a significant impact in United’s possession-based style, a key reason for his arrival, this could change under Amorim and the new formation. Onana's most successful season came at Inter, where he played behind a back three, and having an additional centre-back to distribute to should further enhance his involvement in build-up play.

RCB: Matthijs de Ligt

United may be dealing with a centre-back shortage at the moment, but the Dutchman is fully fit, having played the full 90 minutes for his country against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. After a difficult start to life in the Premier League, the former Ajax captain has grown into the team, delivering much-improved performances recently. Under Ruud van Nistelrooy, he has showcased his strength in the air and has appeared more confident and composed when in possession.

CB: Jonny Evans

With Lisandro Martinez sent home from the Argentina camp, Victor Lindelof injured with Sweden, and Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire still working their way back to full fitness, all signs point to the 36-year-old leading the defence in Amorim's debut in charge. While the veteran centre-back may not be the fresh face United had hoped for, he offers the reliability and experience the new coach needs for his first match in charge of a new league. Evans is consistently dependable, particularly at tough Premier League grounds. He delivered a man-of-the-match performance at Burnley last season and kept Aston Villa at bay last month with a flawless second-half showing off the bench.

LCB: Noussair Mazraoui

The Morocco international has been one of United's standout performers in recent weeks, delivering strong displays against Chelsea and providing an assist against Leicester. He has featured as both a right-back and a left-back, with his most impressive performances coming on the left, where he inverts into midfield during possession. While he could be deployed as a wing-back, his defensive strengths make him better suited to a position in the left of a back three. This role allows him to support the left-winger while also stepping into midfield when necessary.

RWB: Diogo Dalot

The Portuguese defender has had a challenging start to the season, initially struggling at left-back before returning to his more natural right side. His low point came with a glaring open-goal miss at West Ham, which contributed to the defeat and ultimately led to Ten Hag's dismissal. However, having a fellow countryman in charge might be just the boost he needs. He appears well-suited to the right wing-back role, which demands a strong blend of attacking and defensive qualities, and under Amorim's guidance, he could find his rhythm again.

CM: Manuel Ugarte

Ugarte is the only player with prior experience under Amorim, and he should seamlessly slot into the starting XI as the team's primary ball-winner. Amorim places great importance on this role, having relied heavily on Joao Palhinha during his first title win with Sporting, followed by Ugarte, who mastered the role before moving on and passing the baton to Morten Hjulmand. Under Ten Hag, Ugarte had limited starting opportunities, with some feeling he was more of a club signing than one specifically requested by the former manager. However, his arrival should prove to be a valuable asset for Amorim early on.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo is nearing the one-year anniversary of his impressive full debut for United against Everton, and it would be a fitting moment for him to make his return from a six-week injury layoff by starting against Ipswich. The England midfielder, who rejoined full training and participated in Amorim's first session on Monday, possesses exceptional technical skill and composure on the ball. These qualities make him the perfect partner for Ugarte in Amorim's midfield, where his creativity and confidence can complement the defensive solidity of his teammate.

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LWB: Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho was one of Ten Hag's standout success stories alongside Mainoo, but his playing style doesn't naturally align with Amorim's preference for narrow wingers who function more like de facto No. 10s. Despite this, his talent is too great to keep out of the team, and he should take up the role of left wing-back.

The Argentina international has the stamina to cover the full length of the pitch and has made significant improvements in his defensive work over the past year. Amorim has shown flexibility in using wingers in the wing-back position, with players like Maximiliano Araujo and Geovany Quenda making successful transitions from wide forwards to wing-backs. Given Garnacho's dedication and described "obsession with football" by a former coach, there’s no reason he can't excel in Amorim's revamped system.

RFW: Bruno Fernandes

United fans have been hoping for Fernandes to rediscover the explosive attacking form he displayed during his first 18 months at the club, and that exciting level of play may be on the verge of returning. The Portuguese midfielder struggled after Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford, being shuffled into various roles under Ten Hag. As a result, Fernandes evolved into more of an all-action player, rather than the focal point of the team’s attack, as he had been under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, he looks perfectly suited to Amorim's system as a narrow forward, and he's been preparing for the new coach's arrival with an impressive run of five goals and assists in his last five appearances for both United and Portugal.

LFW: Amad Diallo

Amad is another player poised for a resurgence now that Ten Hag is no longer in charge. He was the standout performer in United's otherwise lackluster win over PAOK and impressed again in the match against Leicester. The Ivorian has always preferred to operate more centrally rather than wide on the wing, and he should excel in the second attacking midfielder role behind the main striker. This position will allow him to showcase his creativity and goal-scoring ability, building on his strong performances with both goals and assists.

CF: Rasmus Hojlund

The Danish striker has yet to justify his £72m ($90m) price tag, often appearing isolated and struggling to make an impact, as he spends more time battling with centre-backs than contributing to United's build-up play. However, Amorim's arrival should provide him with more freedom to roam across the attack. The coach's success with Viktor Gyokeres, who has already scored 23 goals for Sporting and netted five for Sweden in the UEFA Nations League, should serve as a major source of encouragement for the striker, offering hope that he can thrive in a more fluid attacking system.

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