The Manchester United forwards set to benefit from Ruben Amorim's arrival - and those who could miss out
Ruben Amorim is expected to make major changes to how Manchester United line up when he takes charge of his first game at Ipswich.
The 39-year-old was successful with Sporting CP using a 3-4-2-1 and is expected to introduce that formation at Old Trafford, changing from the 4-2-3-1 used by Erik ten Hag. Here we look at how the forward line might look and who will be the winners and losers.
Winners
Rasmus Højlund
He is the best comparable player in the squad stylistically to Viktor Gyökeres who has scored 66 goals in 68 games since joining Sporting CP in 2023. But the Dane, 21, has struggled for goals since joining United for £64 million in 2023 and has just one league goal from over 400 minutes this season.
Part of the problem has been a lack of chances – Højlund has had five shots in the league this season - Gyökeres has had 50 shots and 16 goals. Under Ten Hag, United’s attacks looked devoid of ideas, so Amorim’s repetitive patterns of play should help the inexperienced number striker.
Bruno Fernandes
United’s captain had a difficult start to the season: no goals, two red cards, and just four assists during Ten Hag’s 12 games in charge. But he is United’s best player and showed signs of a return to form during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s four games in charge, registering four goals and two assists. The 30-year-old has a tendency to become emotional and lack positional discipline, so a more defined attacking role behind the striker should suit Fernandes.
Mason Mount
The Englishman has been plagued by injuries since joining United for £55 million from Chelsea in 2023, starting just seven league games. He also had the misfortune of competing with the ever-present Fernandes for one position, but the second attacking midfielder in Amorim’s system should create an opening for the 25-year-old. Widely praised for his work-rate, Mount should fit the new manager’s preference for high-pressing football.
Amad
Having been unable to nail down a starting position under ten Hag he scored two in the Europa League at home to PAOK and impressed in the 3-0 win over Leicester. The 22-year-old is secure on the ball and comfortable in tight spaces, so he should thrive in the right-sided position behind the striker. His contract expires in 2025, although there is an option to extend it for another year, so it is a decisive period for the Ivorian.
Losers
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has failed to return to the heights of his best season in 2022-23, which he ended with 30 goals in 56 games. His best football came when he played in an advanced inside left position, with an overlapping full-back, namely Luke Shaw. But with Amorim’s two players behind the striker deployed more centrally and deeper than wingers, how does Rashford fit in? As one of the few proven goalscorers in United’s squad, Amorim will surely utilise the 27-year-old, but his role remains unclear.
Alejandro Garnacho
The Argentine has had a promising start to the season with seven goals and four assists so far. But similarly to Rashford, he is at his best cutting in off the left wing, so there remain question marks over how the 20-year-old will be deployed. Given his relentless work-rate, Jamie Carragher suggested he could be played at left wing-back, but his defensive acumen is unproven and his attacking output would undoubtedly suffer.
Joshua Zirkzee
Having scored on his Old Trafford debut against Fulham, he has since failed to find the back of the net and struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. Before the season, the Dutchman, 23, spoke to the Mirror and said “I am what I call a false striker. Not a No 9, not a No 10. I am a 9.5!” As Amorim deployed Gyökeres as a fast and physical channel runner, Zirkzee’s preference for dropping in and linking the play appears incompatible.
Antony
The 24-year-old Brazilian joined for £86 million in 2022 and has disappointed at Old Trafford, making just one start this season - against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. Given the abundance of competition for the attacking places, could Antony be used as a right-wing-back? Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are currently United’s only fit first-team full-backs, and with uncertainty over Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s fitness, Antony may feature at wing-back by default.