Manchester United are hoping for magic from Ruben Amorim and one player really needs a boost from his arrival at Old Trafford.
Manchester United fans are now just a week away from watching the real beginning of the Ruben Amorim era.
Amorim’s arrival has almost been in three stages.
United announced Amorim’s appointment on November 1 but he only arrived at Carrington on November 11 with Amorim continuing to manage Sporting until the international break.
Amorim’s first game in charge comes against Ipswich Town next Sunday, 24 November, with United fans excited to see his ideas in action.
It’s obviously early days and Amorim won’t be able to get his messages across just yet, especially in the international break, but fans are hoping for something special.
Manchester United hope Ruben Amorim can salvage £36m star
Amorim will inherit a squad who went four games without defeat under Ruud van Nistelrooy, winning three times.
Yes, those wins came against Leicester City – twice – and PAOK but it’s at least some momentum and confidence.
Some players still need help from Amorim and striker Joshua Zirkzee is a prime example.
Zirkzee joined United from Bologna over the summer as the Dutch forward arrived in a £36million deal.
After scoring the winner on his Premier League debut against Fulham, Zirkzee has now gone 16 appearances without a goal in all competitions.
Zirkzee has never really been a particularly prolific goalscorer but he looks especially devoid of confidence right now.
The Mirror now claim that United chiefs hope to see Amorim work wonders with Zirkzee can get him firing again.
Amorim arrives with both Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund struggling for goals and United seemingly hope that he has the magic touch.
Viktor Gyokeres became one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers during his time under Amorim and the hope is that Zirkzee will take on some of Amorim’s tips and start finding the net.
Joshua Zirkzee suffers Netherlands blow
Zirkzee is on international duty right now having been called up by the Netherlands for games against Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The problem is that Ronald Koeman named a 25-man squad for this international break but could only name 12 substitutes.
That means two players had to sit in the stands for Saturday’s game against Hungary – and Zirkzee was one of them.
Zirkzee joined Justin Kluivert in not even featuring on the bench, which serves as a real blow to the United striker.
Perhaps Zirkzee will feature against Bosnia and Herzegovina in midweek but there is real chance that Zirkzee returns to Old Trafford without having even kicked a ball for the Netherlands.
Van Nistelrooy is predicting big things for Zirkzee and hopefully he can thrive with time – and some influence Amorim.
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