Ruben Amorim will need to make changes when Manchester United take on Newcastle. One could involve a rarely seen partnership.
Manchester United’s managerial transition between Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim was made easier by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell.
Van Nistelrooy took charge of United for four games, winning three and drawing one.
The Dutchman helped to bring a sense of calm to United at a difficult time, and appeared to give Amorim a couple of tips along the way.
One of these was Van Nistelrooy’s re-integration of Amad, who had been bizarrely dropped by Ten Hag at the end of his spell.
Amad has become a key player under Amorim, pivotal to United’s attacking play, even in a new wing-back role.
The other big lesson from Van Nistelrooy was his midfield use. The interim boss selected Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte together in all four games.
This was a decision overwhelmingly ignored by Amorim, perhaps until now.
Ruben Amorim is refusing to give up on a quick return for Bruno Fernandes
When do you think Bruno Fernandes will return?
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro reunited?
Manchester United’s midfield options against Aston Villa are severely limited due to injuries.
Kobbie Mainoo suffered an injury in training that caused him to miss the Aston Villa game, while Bruno Fernandes then picked up a hamstring injury in the first half.
Both Mainoo and Fernandes are expected to miss time, leaving United with only two recognised midfielders, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.
Ruben Amorim could bring Mason Mount back into a deeper role, or once again trial Lisandro Martinez in midfield.
But the solution could be staring him in the face with Casemiro and Ugarte.
Manchester United have lost ALL FOUR games Manuel Ugarte has started so far this season
Is Ugarte the worst signing Ineos have made in their time at the club?
Amorim snubbed pairing
Ruben Amorim snubbed the pairing of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro for his opening match as Manchester United head coach.
He selected Christian Eriksen to play alongside Casemiro, with Manchester United only managing to draw 1-1 at Ipswich.
The following game against Bodo/Glimt, Amorim selected Ugarte in midfield along with Bruno Fernandes.
He then picked Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro against Everton, before going with Fernandes and Casemiro against Viktoria Plzen.
More combinations followed, including Ugarte with Mainoo, and there were even games where Toby Collyer was thrown into the mix.
But the pairing of Casemiro and Ugarte has never been tried together since Amorim’s appointment, not as starters.
This is the XI Ruben Amorim chose for his first ever Manchester United game as head coach
Van Nistelrooy’s methodology was to provide Casemiro with more defensive support with Ugarte, to prevent him being overrun, and also allow him to get forward more.
The two defensive-minded players provided a more solid base, for players like Fernandes and Amad to let their creativity thrive.
Amorim’s change of system has switched the dynamic, with Amorim looking for different traits from his midfielders.
He wants progressors, who can get the ball up the pitch quickly to his attacking players in key areas.
Passing is not a great strength of Ugarte or Casemiro, and perhaps this is why he has been reluctant to utilise them as a pairing, despite the impressive showings under Van Nistelrooy.
This coming week against Newcastle, Ugarte and Casemiro are the obvious call.
Some would argue they were the obvious call 13 months ago, after Van Nistelrooy teed Amorim up.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
