Three Man United players whose potential Ruben Amorim could unlock | OneFootball

The venue will be Portman Road, where United’s sixth permanent head coach, since legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, faces Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town.

Amorim, a two-time champion in the Portuguese league and the architect behind Sporting CP’s long-awaited title success, felt he couldn’t pass up this opportunity, though he is stepping into a challenging environment.

Following Erik ten Hag’s departure due to recent underperformance, Amorim takes over a team currently positioned 13th in the Premier League, albeit four points from the Champions League spots.

Once again, United finds itself in a rebuilding phase, necessitating patience from supporters. However, the demands of modern football mean that Amorim must secure victories quickly, requiring him to inspire improved performances from his players, some of whom have yet to reach their potential.

Rasmus Højlund

Viktor Gyökeres recorded an impressive tally of 66 goals in 68 matches while under the management of Amorim at Sporting CP, prompting speculation that he could rejuvenate Rasmus Højlund’s performance. After missing the opening four Premier League matches for Manchester United this season due to injury, Højlund participated in the following seven games, scoring once. He’s still young, turning 22 next February, but a club with United’s aspirations requires their centre-forward to demonstrate consistent performance akin to their competitors.

Højlund possesses notable speed and physical attributes and has shown flashes of his striking prowess within the penalty area. Amorim’s background in coaching young strikers with similar skill sets could benefit Højlund’s development. However, there is a need for improvement, as the new head coach emphasises off-the-ball movement and positional flexibility. Amorim’s attacking philosophy focuses on quick transitions and intelligent pressing, which could allow Højlund to exploit defensive vulnerabilities and leverage his physicality in direct, aggressive plays.

If Højlund can refine his technical skills and enhance his positioning, he will significantly impact United’s attacking game. By developing his movement patterns and fostering connections with teammates, the Danish marksman could evolve into a more versatile player. This growth would also benefit Højlund personally and align with the attacking style that Amorim aims to implement at United.

Alejandro Garnacho

The discourse surrounding Amorim’s preferred tactical formation has highlighted the potential of Alejandro Garnacho, arguably the most promising talent in the current United squad, alongside Kobbie Mainoo. Garnacho often expresses aspirations of joining the ranks of elite footballers, yet achieving such heights necessitates a commitment to hard work that matches his ambitions. As a dynamic winger, he must adapt to Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 system, which positions wingers more centrally compared to traditional setups.

In Amorim’s approach, the wing-backs maintain proximity to the touchline, while the wingers are expected to operate in more central areas. This tactical shift presents a challenge for Garnacho, who, under Ten Hag, faced uncertainty regarding his starting position. However, within Amorim’s framework, his agility and technical skills could render him a crucial component of United’s attacking trio, allowing him to exploit defensive weaknesses effectively.

Amorim’s reputation for nurturing young talent will likely motivate Garnacho, mainly as he embodies the type of winger that Amorim values—one excelling in one-on-one scenarios, especially during rapid transitions. By encouraging Garnacho to enhance his work rate off the ball, Amorim could facilitate a more balanced approach to his attacking and defensive duties, ultimately aiding in his development and progression to a higher level of performance.

Diogo Dalot

Amorim envisions his wing-backs as pivotal in his offensive strategy, emphasising the need for width in advanced positions. While Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, and Luke Shaw are all capable of fulfilling these roles, they are primarily natural full-backs rather than traditional wing-backs. Dalot, in particular, has demonstrated potential in this area, having created ten chances and provided one assist this season, suggesting he could be effectively adapted to enhance his attacking contributions.

Last season, Dalot played 36 matches, averaging 2.3 tackles and one interception per 90 minutes, which indicates a strong defensive foundation. His overall contributions included two goals and three assists, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the pitch. The successful execution of Amorim’s tactical approach relies on full-backs advancing to create space for attacking plays while remaining defensively sound under pressure.

For Dalot, the opportunity to partner with players who can capitalise on his exceptional crossing ability is crucial, as the space available for forward movement is significant. Within Amorim’s structured pressing system, which necessitates support from midfielders during counterattacks, Dalot can effectively balance his defensive responsibilities with offensive initiatives. By refining his capabilities in both areas, Dalot has the potential to disrupt opposing attacks while simultaneously creating scoring chances from wide positions, positioning himself as one of the league’s top full-backs.