I don’t think Manchester United will have an issue with Ruben Amorim’s tactics

Manchester United will not have an issue adapting to Ruben Amorim’s tactics, according to Andre Onana.

The club’s incoming manager has enjoyed real success playing in a 3-4-3 shape - as demonstrated again on Tuesday as Sporting Lisbon beat Manchester City 4-1 in Amorim’s penultimate game in charge. But there have been concerns raised about whether the United squad is suited to Amorim’s preferred formation.

In particular, the Red Devils are not blessed with options to play in the specialised wing-back roles. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia haven’t kicked a ball this season and there is no real cover for Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, one of whom will have to play out of position on the left flank.

However, speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against PAOK, Onana insisted that United will adapt to Amorim’s style.

“I did watch it [Sporting v City],” the United keeper said. “Great victory for them, by the way. Different system, but my teammates we are all pragmatic, everyone here is capable of playing in each system; I don’t think it will be an issue for us. We have big players. They will step up.”

Amorim is set to be Ten Hag’s long-term replacement at Old Trafford, following the Dutchman’s sacking last week. His dismissal will have been a sore subject for Onana, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax and then followed him to Manchester last summer. But it’s clearly an outcome that didn’t shock the 28-year-old.

“When I heard he was leaving, obviously I felt bad. It’s not always easy for players to understand why a manager is leaving. At the end of the day the club makes a decision and we have to follow. 

“Yes I worked with him, he’s a good manager, I’ve got a very good relationship with him. Why things didn’t work here, we didn’t win enough games, it’s simple. At high level it’s not easy and sometimes you have to pay the price. We worked hard, tried everything and did our best but it didn’t work.”

United will be looking to pick up their first Europa League win of the season when they host PAOK on Thursday, having drawn all of their three previous games in the competition.