On Monday, Amorim took over the management of the Manchester United squad. The attendance from players in the starting eleven was thin, with the start of the Nations League and a new international break. The new United manager will get around three training sessions before it kicks off against Ipswich in the Premier League. Now it is reported that Amorim may choose an improvised solution in the debut.
When the Portuguese signed with the Premier League club, he was clear that he will continue with “what he knows best”. This means that the United players are thrown into an unfamiliar 3-4-3 formation without much time to practice it.
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The established United players have little experience with the formation. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are not back from injury, so it looks like Diogo Dalot will secure the left flank in the three-man defence, while Noussair Mazraoui will hold the right flank. The problem for Amorim is that there is little competition for these places.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Amorim could surprise from the start and bring Bendito Mantato to the first team. The academy winger is only 16 years young, but according to the local newspaper, Amorim is considering wonderkid Mantato as an option as a wingback – on both sides. It says a lot about the change United players can expect from Amorim when the Portuguese looks past established players and picks up a player from outside the squad.
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Mantato has played in United’s U18 team since his transfer in the summer, the U21 team has already brought the 16-year-old up as a reserve against Forest Green. Exciting, but also sensational and a clear signal from Amorim which type of player he needs on the flanks.
