90min
·30. November 2024
90min
·30. November 2024
Ruben Amorim felt the warm embrace of the Old Trafford crowd on Thursday evening as he secured his first victory as Manchester United manager.
It wasn't necessarily plain sailing as the Red Devils came from behind to beat Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League, but it was a significant weight lifted off Amorim's shoulders. The Portuguese will be desperate to build on the continental victory when Everton visit Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.
One mitigating factor for United's dismal start to the season was the sheer number of injuries sustained in the opening weeks. While there remain fitness concerns for Amorim - especially in defence - he has already welcomed a number of first-teamers back into the fold since the start of his reign.
Here is how the Red Devils could line up in Amorim's third match at the helm.
Kobbie Mainoo could make a first start under Amorim / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages
GK: Andre Onana - Having largely eradicated frequent errors from his game this term, Onana produced an unconvincing performance on Thursday evening. He's unlikely to be busy this weekend given Everton's goalscoring record but he must stay switched on.
CB: Noussair Mazraoui - The Moroccan's long-term future may not be as the right-sided central defender in a back three but he's adapted to the new role admirably - albeit only two games into Amorim's reign.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt - Getting the best out of summer recruit and former Kopa Trophy winner De Ligt could prove decisive for Amorim. The Dutch defender has the potential to be among the world's best but is far from that status as things stand.
CB: Lisandro Martinez - Martinez returned to the lineup on Thursday evening and got an hour under his belt in the victory. It wasn't his most convincing defensive display but he stepped out of the back three effectively.
RM: Diogo Dalot - Dalot made an enormous difference from the bench against Bodo/Glimt and has earned a start against Everton this weekend. Competent in defence and attack, he should offer some balance to the right flank.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - Casemiro didn't enjoy a particularly impressive outing during Amorim's debut against Ipswich Town in what was his 100th game for United. The returning Mainoo, who has been an unused substitute in the last two games, could replace the Brazilian this Sunday.
CM: Manuel Ugarte - Ugarte made 85 appearances under Amorim at Sporting CP and looked comfortable in the 3-4-2-1 set-up against Bodo/Glimt. The combative Uruguayan will be key in preventing Everton counter-attacks and retrieving second balls.
LM: Luke Shaw - Shaw has now made two substitute appearances in a row after missing the entirety of the campaign prior to the November international break. The powerful full-back could prove a dab hand at left midfield.
RF: Bruno Fernandes - Fernandes operated in a deeper role against Bodo/Glimt and it remains to be seen where he fits into Amorim's system in the long-term. He could return to the final third at the weekend, playing just in behind Rasmus Hojlund.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - The early signs are positive as Amorim looks to transform another powerful Scandinavian striker into a ruthless world-beater. Hojlund scored twice and assisted in the Europa League midweek.
LF: Marcus Rashford - Rashford scored the opening goal of the Amorim era last weekend after just two minutes but did little else at Portman Road. He has three goals and five assists in past meetings with the Toffees.