Has Ruben Amorim underestimated the huge task ahead of him at Manchester United? | OneFootball

A new era is underway at Manchester United and Red Devils fans are understandably excited. While the smiles around Old Trafford are back right now, the clubs’ new manager, Ruben Amorim, has a huge task on his hands.

In fact, there is a strong argument to suggest that the young Portuguese coach might have underestimated the task ahead.

A solid foundation is essential

One of the main issues the former Sporting CP boss will look to address is Manchester United’s defence. Only two teams have conceded less goals than the Red Devils this season despite their difficult start, but Erik ten Hag’s tenure was punctuated by heavy defeats.

The wounds remain fresh from hammerings at Liverpool (7-0), Crystal Palace (4-0) and Manchester City (6-3) in recent campaigns and many of the same personnel remain, even if the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro have been added to the ranks.

A change in shape also represents risk, with Amorim keen to implement the 3-4-3 system that worked so well at Sporting. Full-back additions have already been mooted, given the inability of either Luke Shaw or Tyrell Malacia to remain fit over the past 18 months.

After all, the best sides around don’t ship too many goals. Whether or not January is the time to resolve things remains to be seen. Given the club’s summer outlay, Amorim might have to wait until the summer to build the foundation he needs.

Instilling a new way of playing takes time

Amorim has already set out his stall just two games into his reign. The 39-year-old has unrelenting belief his style of play and system, which he is determined to implement at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Amorim’s preferred way of playing has brought plenty of success in Portugal, but is it a system that can be taught in the midst of a gruelling Premier League campaign? With the fixtures coming thick and fast over the festive period, that’s the concern.

The system requires the wing-backs to work incredibly hard, both in an attacking and a defensive sense, and there are concerns as to whether Manchester United have the right players to adapt to such an approach.

Throw in the diamond patterns he tends to demand and the all-energy attacking approach his Sporting side exhibited on so many occasions, and the young manager might be underestimating just how difficult it will be to turn his new team into something that resembles his old one.

A dressing room with endless issues

Long before Amorim’s appointment, there have been murmurs of unrest and power struggles inside the Manchester United dressing room. Some players have even been accused of downing tools altogether under former coaches, with Marcus Rashford a regular target for criticism after failing to track back for the team on occasion.

Additionally, the captaincy of Bruno Fernandes has been questioned and whether the Portuguese midfielder leads from the front. Given the toxicity that has been associated with Manchester United over the last few years, it might take some time before Amorim addresses the dressing room culture. It could require significant changes in personnel. One thing’s for sure, Amorim needs time to get things right.

What could be achieved this season?

Amorim’s arrival as ushered in cautious optimism at Manchester United, even given the underwhelming nature of his first two games.

However, the bookmakers need convincing that the new head coach is the right man to, immediately at least, revive a decade of decline. Assessing odds from safestbettingsites.co.uk, United remain outsiders to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football this season.

With a six-point gap to the Champions League places, the Red Devils (11/2) are ranked behind the current top four of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, alongside Tottenham (15/8) and Brighton (5/1). Newcastle are level with Amorim’s side (11/2), while Aston Villa – who finished fourth last season – are priced at 8/1.

A better route to Champions League football and silverware could be the Europa League. Amorim registered his first win as manager against Bodo/Glimt in the competition on Thursday and United remain unbeaten in Europe. However, three draws from five games leave them 12th in the standings and there’s work to be done to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification to the Round of 16.

United (11/2) sit behind only Tottenham (4/1) among the favourites for the trophy with Athletic Bilbao (6/1), Real Sociedad (8/1) and current leaders Lazio (10/1) the next sides favoured. With no drop-outs from the Champions League under the new format, United already know the teams in their way of success.

Read – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

See more – Amorim outlines where Hojlund can improve for Man United

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