RUBEN Amorim will take charge of his first match as Manchester United manager this weekend when the Old Trafford outfit travel to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town.

United need someone to get more out of the players already at the club and so Amorim’s arrival could be a catalyst for several squad members. Here are five Manchester United players who could thrive under the new manager.

Bruno Fernandes

For all the millions spent by Manchester United in the transfer market since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 11 years ago, Bruno Fernandes is the only signing to have been and out-and-out success. And yet the Portuguese midfielder could do with a more clearly defined role within the United team.

In the 3-4-2-1 expected to be used by Amorim, Fernandes will be expected to link up with the centre forward and the double pivot in central midfield. This will demand more from him in a defensive sense with Amorim’s attackers expected to press from the front. Fernandes will have to adapt his game to fit in.

 

Rasmus Hojlund 

Ramus Hojlund need only look at Viktor Gyokeres for an example of how Amorim’s methods can get the best out of a number nine. Gyokeres has scored 23 goals in all competitions for Sporting CP this season and has set a standard that Hojlund will now aim to follow as Manchester United’s only true centre forward.

The potential of the Danish striker is clear, but United must do more to give him service. If Amorim can get his wing backs to provide crosses into the box and his attacking midfielders to get closer to Hojlund, the 21-year-old could finally show the ability that prompted Manchester United to pay £72m for him in the first place.

Noussair Mazraoui

Of the five signings made by Manchester United in the summer, Noussair Mazraoui has been the biggest success so far. The Moroccan has been used in a variety of positions (including the number 10 role) and has improved United in and out of possession. Amorim will almost certainly have a use for him, but it might not be in his favoured position.

If Manchester United line up in a back three, Mazrouai’s role could be as one of the left or right-sided centre backs. That way Amorim could utilise the former Ajax and Bayern Munich player’s ability on the ball to play out from the back while also keeping the wing back positions for more attack-minded players.

Manuel Ugarte 

Amorim knows Manuel Ugarte well having coached him at Sporting CP. The Uruguayan midfielder thrived in Lisbon, earning a €60m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain only last year. Ugarte now finds himself at Old Trafford and a reunion with his former Sporting CP boss could see him reach a new level for his new team.

Ugarte is renowned for his defensive instincts in the centre of the pitch, but his ability to pick a pass forward from deep could help Manchester United move into transition moments more quickly. Amorim knows Ugarte’s game inside-out and could make the Uruguayan a central pillar of his new-look team.

 

Leny Yoro

Leny Yoro is still make his Manchester United debut after joining from Lille in the summer transfer window, but the French defender will surely be a key part of Amorim’s team going forward. The youngster has similar physical and technical qualities to Ousmane Diomande, meaning he could be installed as the central centre back in a back three.

Erik ten Hag might rue that he was never able to use Yoro in his defence, but Amorim will now coach one of the best young defenders in the European game. The 19-year-old could give Manchester United the sort of defensive presence they have desperately lacked over the last few seasons.

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