Manchester United took on Ipswich Town at Portman Road to kick off the Ruben Amorim era on Sunday evening.
Lining up in a 3-4-3 formation, Andre Onana started in nets with Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans and Noussair Mazraoui starting as the three centre backs.
Interestingly, Amad Diallo took up the spot at right wing back and Noussair Mazraoui started at left wing back. Christian Eriksen and Casemiro started in the midfield pivot.
The front three consisted of Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
Here are four things we learnt from the match.
Rashford makes mark in new role
Amorim decided to employ Rashford as his number nine and not Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee.
The Englishman got off to the perfect start with a poacher’s finish after wonderful work down the right from Amad Diallo.
It was his fifth strike of the season and he will hope that he can now get a run of games closer to the goal as the new head coach’s first choice number nine.
He had a quiet first half as the team struggled to create much. The hosts took charge of the half in spite of United’s perfect start. He was eventually taken off later in the second half after failing to add to his first half tally.
Still, it will give United’s number 10 a shot of confidence as he aims to return to something like the form of the 2022/2023 season.
Where does Bruno Fernandes fit?
Fernandes was sensational under Ruud van Nistelrooy and has probably been the team’s best player since signing in 2020.
However, he had a very quiet first half where he could barely influence proceedings at all.
Amorim’s 3-4-3 does not have an obvious fit for Fernandes as the players behind the striker need to create some width and the Portuguese is certainly more comfortable closer to goal in a more central position.
United’s captain is an intelligent player and incredibly hard-working, so it would be foolish to bet against him finding a role in Amorim’s team but as of now, it is far from clear where he fits in the puzzle.
Amad Diallo can’t play wing back in the Premier League
Amad has been one of the highlights of the season and has impressed since being given a more prominent role since Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.
He was wonderful in Rashford’s opening goal and most United fans would agree he should certainly have a role in Amorim’s starting eleven.
However, the jury is certainly out on whether that should be in the wing back position.
The Ivorian certainly works hard off the ball and puts in a shift but his performance defensively in the first half exposed his light frame against Premier League attackers.
He was caught out numerous times by the Ipswich attack and will undoubtedly be better suited closer to goal, perhaps in one of Amorim’s two number 10 positions.
Andre Onana continues to impress
The Cameroonian keeper has had his critics since joining United but he kept up his outstanding form this season.
There was nothing he could do for Omari Hutchinson’s deflected strike for the Tractor Boys but he made two highly impressive stops either side of half time.
Both saves displayed great reflexes and anticipation as he kept Amorim’s side in the game.
His return from the precipice has been impressive and only speaks to the mental strength he has as he has become one of United’s most important players in recent months.
Feature image Richard Pelham via Getty Images
Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
