Ruben Amorim claims exciting Manchester United talent has already ‘improved so much’ in one crucial area

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Manchester United have started the Ruben Amorim era in underwhelming fashion having drawn 1-1 away at Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.

Ruben Amorim had quite the wait as he geared up for his first game as Manchester United boss.

United appointed Amorim as head coach on November 1 but allowed him to stay with Sporting until the international break.

Amorim was finally ready to take charge against Ipswich Town on Sunday and the start to the game could hardly have been better.

Marcus Rashford fired United in front with mere seconds on the clock, tapping home Amad Diallo’s cross.

United were flat from that point on though and were pegged back as Omari Hutchinson’s deflected strike found the top corner of the net.

• READ MORE: Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich, Ruben Amorim debut verdict as 8/10 star provides hope for the future

Ruben Amorim on Amad Diallo

United just couldn’t kick on after the early goal and were arguably lucky to claim a point.

Andre Onana was hailed by United fans for his performance as he produced some fine saves to help secure a draw.

There weren’t many impressive individual performances for United but Amad Diallo showed something at wing back.

Amad was brilliant against Leicester City before the international break and made a hot start against Ipswich.

Amad drove up the right flank and brilliantly teed up Rashford to score as he adjusts to playing as a wing back under Amorim.

Amorim has now reacted to Amad’s performance by praising him on United’s official website.

Amorim suggested that Amad was ‘very good’ against Ipswich and has already improved ‘so much’ defensively in just a few days.

The United boss added that Amad was basically going man-to-man with Ipswich left back Leif Davis, allowing him to still play as a winger in possession.

“I think he was very good,” said Amorim. “[In] these three days he has improved so much defensively. But also the opponent that he had all the time was the left-back. So it is like a winger that follows the left-back.

“It is so much easier, I think, because he doesn’t have to think: ‘Can I jump in the centre-back?’ He just follows his man and goes back with the same man. It is like man-to-man in that aspect,” he added.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned from Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town

Expect Amad Diallo experiment to continue

Amorim is still learning about his United squad and just who fits into his 3-4-3 formation – and where.

Many would have expected Diallo to play in one of the attacking roles supporting the striker, but Amorim decided to drop him in at right wing back.

That decision paid off early on with a superb assist for Rashford and we may see more of it moving forward.

Amorim has praised Noussair Mazraoui for his performance as a right-sided centre back whilst Luke Shaw will be eased back into action, meaning Diogo Dalot is likely to continue on the left side.

That means Amad will be in the box seat to start at right wing back moving forward with Amorim encouraged by his first performance there.