Some might be rushing to announce their verdict on Ruben Amorim at Manchester United after just one game but that’s just the noise the manager needs to block out.
Not only does a new system and identity take time to instill and develop, but Ruben Amorim’s first XI had a clear “makeshift” look to it.
That is because he took over at a time when multiple injuries had struck the Man Utd squad in the international break.
Worse still, most of the injuries came at a position that is arguably the most important in Amorim’s setup. Fortunately for him, that slate is already clearing up a bit after just one game.
Makeshift Man Utd vs Ipswich
Amorim’s midfield combination vs Ipswich stole the headlines as he went back to the pivot which Erik ten Hag based his success on.
However, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro struggled vs Ipswich but at least Amorim had valid reason to drop Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo is just returning from injury.
In that sense, the midfield selection was more cautious than forced which should be reflected in his selection vs Bodo. The same can’t be said for his defence.
Amad was exemplary as the wingback but Jonny Evans was exposed repeatedly in the back-three setup. Even Noussair Mazraoui, praised by Amorim after the game, is arguably wasted in that right-sided centre-back role.
Unfortunately, there was a paucity of options there with Victor Lindelof injured on the international break and Lisandro Martinez withdrawing from Argentina duty due to another injury.
Now, Martinez is already back and available which means Amorim is just one player away from unleashing his ideal back three.
Ruben Amorim’s ideal combination
In an ideal back three, there needs to be a perfect blend of three things- pace, power, and skill on the ball.
The wide centre-backs need pace to defend out wide, the central centre-back needs to dominate aerially, and to some extent, all three need to have the skill to play out from the back.
With Martinez returning, and probably taking Jonny Evans’ place as the left centre-back, it’s 2/3 for Amorim’s ideal combination.
Mazraoui was the best of three vs Ipswich but he is so gifted on the ball and so smart in his usage of spaces that stationing him as a centre-back is wasting him.
Therefore, this United defence is a Leny Yoro return away from unleashing its ideal version that combines pace, power, and skill.
Amorim said in the buildup to the Bodo game that they are careful with Yoro since they want him to make a good first impression.
If he does, then United will arguably have the best centre-back setup in the whole league. That’s how high the ceiling is.
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