Michael Owen and Aaron Ramsey both felt the same way about the prospects of one Manchester United star at Old Trafford under Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently in charge of Manchester United as an interim manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked by the Red Devils last week.
United endured a disastrous start to the 2024-25 Premier League season under Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman’s tenure at Old Trafford ended with his dismissal.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s spell as an interim manager for United will come to an end after Sunday’s Premier League clash against Leicester City.
Ruben Amorim, who has been praised for his work at Sporting CP, has agreed to succeed ex-United boss Ten Hag and will arrive at Old Trafford on 11th November.
United agreed to pay Sporting CP a £9.25m fee to trigger the 39-year-old Portuguese manager’s release clause and Amorim has inked a deal until June 2027.
Owen on Man Utd star under Amorim
Speaking on Premier League Productions, former Manchester United striker Michael Owen predicted the starting XI that Ruben Amorim would use at Old Trafford.
Amorim is widely tipped to play three at the back at United, having used a three-man backline during his successful managerial spell at Sporting CP.
Owen believes that Kobbie Mainoo will start in midfield under incoming United manager Amorim, who could use a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 formation at the club.
However, the former Liverpool star believes it could be a “toss of a coin” between Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte over who starts alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
“He can only pick 11 players and we did debate Ugarte or Casemiro, it was a bit of a toss of a coin between the two,” Owen said, as per the Metro.
“But we just felt he would go with Ugarte because he’s played under him before, that might just tip it in Ugarte’s favour.”
Ramsey on Man Utd star Casemiro
Manuel Ugarte arrived at Old Trafford in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain and the United midfielder previously played under Amorim at Sporting CP.
Aaron Ramsey believes that the 23-year-old Uruguay international’s “experience” under Sporting CP boss Amorim could put him ahead of Casemiro.
“They won the league together at Sporting, Ugarte clearly understands the manager and will know what he expects from him in that position and in the formation he likes to play,” he added.
“Casemiro has had a great career and is still a quality player, I’m sure there’s more to come from him, but I think Ugarte just pips him given the experience he’s had with him previously.”
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