As Ruben Amorim closes in on becoming the new manager of Manchester United, the Portuguese coach has reportedly outlined a list of players he plans to part ways with once in charge
The potential arrival of Rúben Amorim at Manchester United is generating excitement over how his high-pressing, aggressive 3-4-3 formation could impact the team. Known for emphasizing a high defensive line and utilizing wing-backs, Amorim’s tactical approach may favor some players while raising the competition level for others.
Lény Yoro, the £52 million summer signing from Lille, could become more prominent due to his speed and defensive recovery skills, which align well with Amorim’s high-line strategy. Yoro might find himself working alongside Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt to form a solid backline. Manuel Ugarte, one of Europe’s top defensive midfielders, also appears to be an ideal fit for Amorim’s setup. With his strong tackling and familiarity with the 3-4-3 formation, Ugarte would likely add stability to the midfield and pair effectively with a box-to-box partner like Kobbie Mainoo.
Bruno Fernandes may see his role shift to a more advanced position just behind the striker, where he can operate in the half-spaces and fully leverage his playmaking skills. This move could unlock Fernandes’ creative potential, providing the team with an essential attacking spark. Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo are likely to thrive as Amorim’s system favors quick, dribbling wingers. Their speed and technical abilities could make them central to United’s wide-attacking strategy, potentially giving them an edge over other wingers in the squad.
Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee might also benefit, as Amorim’s tactics include the use of a target man, a role Viktor Gyökeres has excelled in at Sporting. Though Zirkzee is still adjusting to life at United, both he and Højlund could gain from this central-forward-focused approach. However, the shift to a system built around wing-backs could pose challenges for players like Antony, who may struggle to find a regular starting position. While he could adapt to a left wing-back role if needed, his traditional winger style may not align perfectly with Amorim’s preferred tactics. Marcus Rashford may also face some uncertainty, as Amorim’s structure requires consistent dribbling and crossing skills, areas where Garnacho and Diallo have shown more proficiency.
Amorim’s possible arrival at United could lead to significant tactical adjustments, favoring those who can adapt to his structured, high-energy approach while pushing others to evolve their skills to fit the new system.