New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim officially started work on Monday as he conducted his first training session at Carrington.
Ever since the Portuguese’s name was announced, fans have been intrigued to know about what sort of a system he will use at the club.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss has been a huge advocate of the 3-4-3 system, something Old Trafford is not used to and despite the unfamiliarity, the first training session did show that the new coach is certainly sticking to his guns.
Due to the lack of numbers owing to stars still being away on international duty, quite a few young faces from the academy were called up and these were the major things noticed in Amorim’s first training session.
Injured stars back just in time
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have not played a single first team game all season and it was great to see the duo involved finally.
The England international had missed over 30 games last term while the Dutch star was sidelined for the whole campaign. Kobbie Mainoo is another important star who has been missing for two months now. But he was also seen in training
Leny Yoro, who suffered a pre-season injury and is yet to make his debut for the club, was also present and hopefully, he can finally make his first-team bow at Portman Road.
Three at the back
There were doubts as to whether the 39-year-old would find enough senior options at his disposal due to the injuries. Harry Maguire remains sidelined while both Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez picked up knocks on international duty.
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However, Amorim played Jonny Evans in the heart of the backline with Yoro on the right and Shaw on the left. Amorim will remember Evans, who scored for the Red Devils in their 3-2 come-from-behind win against Braga back in 2012.
Amorim was a player back then while the great Sir Alex Ferguson masterminded yet another famous European night at the Theatre of Dreams.
Surprise at wing-back
Malacia was utilised as the left wing-back but the opposite flank threw up a major surprise. With Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui still with their national teams, Amorim chose to play Antony in that role.
The Brazilian has been one of the worst buys for the club and rumours continue to swirl over a January exit for the Erik ten Hag recruit. But maybe if the 24-year-old can impress at wing-back, he could still earn a stay of execution at the club.
Rashford up top
Marcus Rashford has cut a largely frustrated figure in the last one-and-a-half seasons at the club and Amorim must find a way to help him get back to his best.
And No 9 is where Amorim thinks the Mancunian can be most effective in. The England international has always preferred the left flank but has to give it his all in the new role if he is to stay at his boyhood club for the foreseeable future.
Mainoo receives special attention
The England international has been sorely missed in the middle of the park. And Amorim seemed to already know about the United academy graduate’s talents and was seen explaining to the 18-year-old about the positioning he wants in his new tactical style.
Ten Hag was also often spotted talking to Mainoo during his tenure and it is already clear to see that if fit, Mainoo will certainly start in Amorim’s system
Tracking back
One constant complaint since Ten Hag had shifted to a chaotic style of play was the lack of energy showed by the team after losing the ball.
The pressing was often haphazard and even the big-name players often did not burst a gut to get back, something that the Red Devils simply cannot afford if they are to turn their fortunes around.
And Amorim seems to have picked up on that and from his first session, he was seen trying to correct this fatal flaw.
The Portuguese coach was often seen whistling and urging his players back, as they practiced the scenario should the team lose the ball. And four times the players responded, running back in unison. Hopefully now, that will translate in the games to come.
Feature image Octavio Passos 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
