Manchester United began the Ruben Amorim era with a hard-fought point against Ipswich Town away at Portman Road on Sunday.
It was the visitors who took the lead within 90 seconds with an excellent run from Amad Diallo leading to a Marcus Rashford goal. But since then, it was mostly the home side who created the better chances.
Omari Hutchinson equalised right before half-time and the result could have been a lot different if Andre Onana had not pulled off a number of brilliant saves.
The Portuguese would have known that he had a huge job on his hands but the scale pretty much became apparent on Sunday. The players are yet to grab what he’s trying to tell them, which was expected.
Personnel does not suit Amorim
But whether he has the personnel to play in this manner remains a concern on first viewing. The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss wants more control but this team prefer playing off the cuff as seen during Erik ten Hag’s chaotic era.
The Red Devils have an abundance of wingers but not the right set of midfielders or strikers for the new coach’s system.
Both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen did not look comfortable at all, struggling to track back when losing the ball and lacking the engine to play as the staggered 6s in the coach’s system.
Amad tried hard but the Tractor Boys got at United whenever the right wing-back was asked to defend. And Rashford, despite his goal, looked well off the pace for most of his time on the pitch.
And Amorim is not exactly blessed with quality as seen from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s cameos. But it will be interesting to see where Bruno Fernandes fits into all of this.
Ever since his arrival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Portuguese always has played a free role behind the striker, encouraged to play his high-risk style.
Who fits where?
But with Amorim, he prefers control and with a specific role out wider than his normal position, the captain was not his fluent self.
Fernandes was far from bad but when Kobbie Mainoo is fit, he is likely to partner Manuel Ugarte while Amad should play further forward, especially at home.
Maybe Alejandro Garnacho could miss out on the other wing but the Portugal international does not look a natural fit currently.
And the intent to try and go on to try and force things was poor even the head coach was quite brave with his changes.
But at least, despite the disappointing display, it was a point from his first game unlike Ten Hag and the team have maintained their unbeaten run since the Dutchman’s sacking.
Feature image Richard Pelham via Getty Images
Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
