One of the first tasks in Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United in-tray will revolve around how best to harness the talents of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Because, if the Red Devils are to start climbing the table again, Ruben Amorim will need his two most influential attackers back at their brilliant best. Preferably, right from day one.
When Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes have confidence flowing through their veins, when those shots are fizzing into the corners, that is when Manchester United tend to be at their most effective.
And while captain fantastic Bruno has shown glimpses of his mercurial best following Erik ten Hag’s sacking – seven goals and assists across his last five games for United and Portugal respectively – Rashford remains a slump-shouldered shadow of his 2022/23 peak.
Rashford’s performance as a Fernandes-inspired Manchester United cruised past Leicester City before the international break was typical of his last 18 months. Stuck on the left-hand touchline, Rashford try as he might simply could not drag himself out of the periphery.
Just to add to his frustration, Rashford’s second-half replacement Alejandro Garnacho would curl home a stunning late finish from exactly the position that Man United’s number ten prefers to operate in.
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Ruben Amorim shares his plan for Marcus Rashford at Manchester United
The good news is that Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system should fit Rashford like a tailored suit.
The former Sporting boss, speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Ipswich Town, admits that Rashford will be utilised either as a central striker or as one of the two narrow number tens rather than out wide as a wing-back.
The new head coach also cannot speak highly enough of his performances on the training pitch this week, Rashford seemingly one of many Man United stars ‘blown away’ by Ruben Amorim’s impact at Carrington.
“Rashy is training very well,” Amorim tells the Man United website. “He can play the three positions up front, so its a good thing he will be ready on Sunday.”
Amorim hinted that Amad Diallo could feature as a wing-back during the coming weeks, as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia build up their fitness behind the scenes. Garnacho may also be a candidate to start out wide, with Rashford seemingly set to be handed a central role in every sense of the word.
Amorim is also delighted to have Bruno Fernandes ready to go.
Fernandes missed Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Croatia on Monday due to suspension, meaning the skipper returns to Manchester fit and fresh after a rare break.
Ruben Amorim delighted to have Bruno Fernandes available
“It was very good, a very good yellow card in the national team! Very useful!” Amorim laughs. “He’s a leader. [Fernandes and] the other players also have to understand the new idea of playing, so really good [to have him available].”
One Portuguese reporter believes Bruno Fernandes may have to adapt under Amorim. Less chaos, perhaps, and more control from a man who, for better or for worse, already tries to make something happen.
As for his much-criticised team-mate, reports that Amorim wants to sign a left-sided full-back is great news for Marcus Rashford and his chances of an Old Trafford revival. It is no coincidence that Rashford’s most effective displays come when Luke Shaw is charging past him on the overlap.
With United forced to field a right-footer on the left in recent times, however, Rashford often finds himself on the wrong end of a two-v-one situation.
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