Ruben Amorim could have four Manchester United players fighting for two roles vs Ipswich

The impending instalment of a 3-4-3 formation at Manchester United is as exciting as it is intriguing. Following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club's new head coach earlier this month, the former Sporting Lisbon boss is expected to implement a new way of playing at Old Trafford. He arrived in England on Monday , less than 24 hours after taking charge of Sporting for the final time, and will now be counting down the days until his first game in charge against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on the other side of the international break.

The trip to Suffolk will officially mark the beginning of a new dawn at United, with Amorim's recent appointment generating plenty of anticipation and excitement. He oversaw an excellent job at Sporting, winning five trophies, and United consider the 39-year-old as 'one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football'. READ MORE: Ruben Amorim gets United defensive boost ahead of opening game vs Ipswich READ MORE: 'Very excited' - Omar Berrada explains why United have appointed Ruben Amorim Much of the excitement among the supporters stems from the expectancy that Amorim is going to implement a brand-new style of play, built around his trademark 3-4-3 system.



It relies on wing-backs to create width, supporting the forward line, meaning a lot of intrigue surrounds the midfield. Manuel Ugarte is expected to become a key figure in Amorim's plans having worked with him previously in Portugal. He earned four successive starts under Ruud van Nistelrooy, partnering Casemiro in the engine room, and went from strength-to-strength, highlighting why United made the decision to sign him in the summer.

Amid Kobbie Mainoo's recent absence, it would be no great surprise to see Ugarte and Casemiro join forces in the middle at Portman Road, flanked by Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui in the wing-back roles. The prospect of that being the middle quartet presents a question about Bruno Fernandes' position. Having experienced an upturn in form under Van Nistelrooy, scoring four goals in as many games during the Dutchman's interim spell in charge, plus the fact he is the club captain, Fernandes is almost guaranteed to remain a starter.

But where will he be deployed by his fellow countryman? The chances are he could be tasked with operating as an inverted winger, either from the right or the left. Fernandes is too attack-minded to play in a two-man midfield system, meaning he would risk leaving his midfield partner too isolated. Bruno Fernandes could be set for a positional switch.

(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.) The prospect of him pushing for a wide role, which is a position he has operated in previously for United, means he will be in competition with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad for a starting role. The expectation is that Rasmus Hojlund will continue as United's chief striker.

Which two is the question that is being asked repeatedly. Because of the nature of Amorim's favoured system, it is possible Fernandes will occupy one of the two wide roles, meaning Rashford, Garnacho and Amad could be left fighting for the remaining spot. Amad has three direct goal involvements in his last two games, scoring twice against PAOK last Thursday night and claiming an assist against Leicester City on Sunday, while Garnacho also helped himself to a goal against the Foxes after coming off the bench and is United's leading goalscorer with seven from 11 direct goal contributions.

Rashford has seven goal involvements and Amad five. The latter has been United's most explosive and entertaining winger in recent matches and whatever Amorim decides, there is no doubt he has options to choose from. And good ones at that.

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