Rúben Amorim: how will he line up Manchester United?

New tactics, new Starting XI under Rúben Amorim for Manchester United?

With Amorim now in the job at United, many are beginning to wonder how the highly-rated manager could set his squad up this weekend against Ipswich Town.

Known for his tactical astuteness, high pressing game, and versatility in adapting to different styles, Amorim has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s brightest managerial talents. His approach would likely blend disciplined defensive structures with an emphasis on fluid attacking transitions.

But how exactly could Rúben Amorim shape a team brimming with potential, yet struggling for consistency?

Let’s take a look at what his lineup and tactics might look like, and how he could elevate United back to its former glory.

Goalkeeper – André Onana

Amorim plays with a ball-playing keeper who is needed in build-up play to help start attacks. They need good ball control, composure and distribution as they’ll sometimes play higher. Onana is perfect for this.

Right Center-Back – Leny Yoro

Yoro is naturally an aggressive front-footed defender who likes to carry the ball out of defense and pass progressively. The wide center-backs in Amorim’s have so much responsibility in build-up play so this is a system which Yoro could thrive in.

Center Center-Back – Harry Maguire

Matthijs De Ligt could play this role too. However, Maguire is actually better suited to the role Coates played at Sporting. The central center-back of the three needs to stay central and deep. They are the dominant box defender with exceptional diagonals on both feet to start direct attacks with passes over the top of the defense.

Maguire thrives at all these. This role would maximise his strengths and minimise his weaknesses.

Left Center-Back – Lisandro Martínez

His aggression and front-footedness are perfect for the wide center-back role under Rúben Amorim. Inácio and Quaresma both have similar profiles and were given heavy responsibility in build-up. Martínez’s line-breaking passes and carries through central areas should increase drastically.

Right Wing-Back – Noussair Mazraoui

The wingbacks are where Amorim will have to be creative. At Sporting, the wingbacks were more like wingers in possession and would be the primary width holders and quickly pass the ball in behind the defence. Mazraoui has the technical ability to suit so many roles and in this team, he could play either side as a wing-back, maybe even as a wide centre-back.

Right Center-Midfield – Manuel Ugarte

Ugarte played under Amorim at Sporting so it’s likely he’ll be a starter for him at the beginning of his tenure at Manchester United. Ugarte’s massive ground coverage will help sweep up any danger in the middle and allow for other players to shine.

Left Center-Midfield – Kobbie Mainoo

In Amorim’s system, usually one of the pivots are positioned slightly higher closer to the pockets, but also has a lot of responsibilities in deeper areas. Mainoo could play this role well. He doesn’t quite have the legs to cover the ground but he’s comfortable receiving from deep and progressing via carries and in the pockets in the final third.

Left Wing-Back – Diogo Dalot

Dalot could be an important utility player for Amorim due to his varied skillset. His passing is of the quality of a midfielder and Amorim likes to play at least one of the wingbacks on their opposite side. This season it was left-footed Geovany Quenda playing as the right wingback.

For Manchester United, Dalot could do this role on the left side. Dalot’s passing is better than Mazraoui’s so he may be the one to play on the opposite side. However, he could easily be used as a wide center-back too.

Right Inside-Forward – Amad Diallo

Marcus Edwards and Francisco Trincão played as the right winger/inside forward and their role/profile was a mix between a winger and a #10. They need to be good in tight spaces, able to take on players, play on the opposite side as their strong foot and have good ball striking. Amad Diallo ticks every box.

Left Inside-Forward – Bruno Fernandes

On the opposite side, Pedro Gonçalves (Pote) would float around the half-spaces creating for runners around him. He played off the striker and other forwards, and was a goal-threat too. Bruno Fernandes has had too many responsibilities at Man United. So a clearer defined role like this could get the best out of him. It could help him be more focused on the offensive side to his game.

Striker – Rasmus Højlund

All the creative players in the team are geared towards the striker, to create as many high-quality chances as possible for the striker. Gyökeres shone here. As a channel running #9, Gyökeres would constantly stretch the defence and run in behind. During his time at Man United, Højlund hasn’t had enough service. Now under Rúben Amorim, that could change drastically. They will look to utilize his pace and power running in behind the defense.