Manchester United couldn’t get Ruben Amorim’s reign off to the perfect start on Sunday, drawing the new head coach’s first game in charge against a stubborn Ipswich Town side.
Amorim stuck with his tried and tested 3-4-3 formation at Portman Road and despite Marcus Rashford getting them off to a flying start, Omari Hutchinson’s equalizer meant United had to settle for a point.
It was a new wing-back role for Diogo Dalot who struggled to make a similar impact to Amad Diallo on the opposite flank with the Ivorian providing a fine assist for Rashford’s opener.
Dalot looked much less comfortable but is expected to improve in a position that should suit his individual qualities.
As reported by MSN news, the Portuguese defender opened up on early life under Amorim after the game and believes his compatriot is the perfect man to take United forward.
“He’s really demanding. He’s exactly what we need for this type of club. That’s the standard the club should have, by demanding people are really professional and working hard for the team. That’s the clear message that he gives us every day,” said Dalot.
The 25-year-old praised the level of detail the players were given prior to the Ipswich game and is looking forward to that continuing during Amorim’s time at the club.
“We prepared all together, and give credit to him and all the staff. They gave us all the information we needed to be ready for this game. We now have a couple of more days to keep working on that, and look forward to Thursday,” he said.
Dalot expanded on Amorim’s impact since his arrival and said that it is now down to the players to try and transfer the head coach’s ideas and expectations onto the pitch.
“It’s gone really well. He made an impact straight away, in terms of his philosophy and the way he wants us to play. It suits the standards of the club. High intensity football and working hard for the team. We just need to put it into practice now.
“We just need to be ready. For the standard of this club, we have to get information really quick. It was really clear (the tactics) and obviously now we will take some more training sessions and games to put this into practice,” said Dalot.
United’s next fixture comes in the Europa League with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt travelling to Manchester on Thursday, in what will be Amorim’s first game at Old Trafford.
Feature image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
