Ruben Amorim is set to make a statement in his first few weeks as Manchester United’s new manager, with reports indicating a major shake-up in the club’s starting XI.
The 39-year-old former Sporting CP boss, who is gearing up for his first training session on Monday, is prepared to overlook two high-profile summer signings and make a surprising change in the striker position.
According to fresh updates, Amorim plans to move Marcus Rashford from his usual left-wing role to the centre of the attack, potentially for the entirety of the 2024/25 season. This decision comes despite the presence of specialist strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who are expected to be dropped in favor of the versatile Englishman. Amorim’s tactical philosophy, built around a fluid 3-4-3 formation that led Sporting to two Primeira Liga titles, will be the foundation for his changes at Old Trafford.
Rashford has long been considered more effective on the left wing, where he can exploit space and cut inside onto his stronger right foot. However, Amorim believes that Rashford’s unique skill set—his pace, ability to attack the channels, and his transition play—could help the club rediscover their attacking potency. “The belief is that the new head coach will look to attack the channels and space behind defenders in transition, and these are characteristics that Rashford possesses that could help him rediscover his best form,” the report stated.
This decision to push Rashford into a central forward role is seen as a short-term solution, with the hope that it will maximize his strengths while Manchester United’s management continues to monitor other attacking options. Despite Rashford’s previous success in a wide position, Amorim’s tactical plan could be key in unlocking the player’s potential at the No. 9 spot.
However, this change in position would mean that both Højlund, signed for a significant fee from Atalanta, and Zirkzee, the young Dutch forward brought in from Bayern Munich, would be relegated to the bench. Both players have been brought in to strengthen United’s strike force, but under Amorim’s system, their roles are expected to take a back seat for now. Højlund, who has been gradually adapting to Premier League football, may find himself sidelined despite his promise, while Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford is also uncertain.
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Amorim’s decision to overlook these specialist strikers in favor of deploying Rashford centrally raises some interesting questions about the long-term vision for United’s forward line. While Rashford has flourished on the left, his ability to play through the middle has rarely been tested in competitive matches this season. His only start as a central striker came in a League Cup fixture against Barnsley, where he netted two goals and provided an assist. However, it’s important to note that Barnsley were a third-tier side, and the level of competition was far from what he would face week in and week out in the Premier League.
Despite the potential short-term benefits of this experiment, Amorim may have bigger plans for the centre-forward position in the long run. The manager has already stated that he won’t be making moves for any of Sporting’s star players in the upcoming January transfer window, a move that would have been expected by many given his history with the club. However, Amorim’s eye is already on the future, with the club reportedly keen on making moves for other strikers as the season progresses.
One name that has surfaced in Manchester United’s transfer plans is Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker currently thriving at Sporting Lisbon. United are said to be preparing a move for the 25-year-old, who has been in red-hot form for the Portuguese club. Gyökeres has been impressing with his pace, finishing, and all-around attacking play, and United are reportedly ready to make a cash-plus-player offer to Sporting for his services. The inclusion of Zirkzee in a potential deal suggests that the Dutch forward’s time at Old Trafford could already be coming to a premature end.
Zirkzee, who has struggled for game time at United, could find himself moving in the opposite direction, with Sporting Lisbon emerging as a possible destination. This potential move underscores the uncertainty surrounding United’s forward line, with Amorim’s tactical decisions and long-term plans leaving the futures of both Højlund and Zirkzee in limbo.
For now, however, it is clear that Amorim’s priority is to get the best out of the players already at his disposal, and his decision to shift Rashford into a central role will be the first of many that will define his tenure at Old Trafford. United fans will be eager to see how this change impacts Rashford’s form, as well as how the manager balances the squad moving forward.
In the short term, Amorim’s tactical switch to a 3-4-3 formation and the re-deployment of Rashford up top could provide the spark that Manchester United have been missing in attack. Rashford has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has struggled with consistency. By moving him to a central role, Amorim hopes to tap into his best qualities—his speed, movement, and ability to make runs behind defenders.
Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford marks the beginning of a new chapter for Manchester United, and his decision to make bold changes to the starting XI speaks volumes about his ambitions for the club. His tactical nous, honed during his successful stint at Sporting CP, will be put to the test as he looks to build a team that can challenge for major honours once again.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how the new manager manages his attacking options, and whether Rashford can thrive in a position that is arguably not his natural role. For Højlund and Zirkzee, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether they can force their way back into Amorim’s plans or if their futures lie elsewhere.
For now, the focus remains on how quickly Amorim can settle into life at Manchester United, with his first training session set to be a pivotal moment in the club’s quest for a return to the top of English football. If Rashford can adapt to his new role and deliver the goals United need, Amorim’s bold decision could prove to be a masterstroke.