Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, recently received various suggestions about his team selections for Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
At 39, Amorim has committed to a contract with United until June 2027, with an option for an additional year, and is preparing for his first game in charge on Sunday, November 24, against Ipswich Town.
Officially starting his role on Monday, November 11, Amorim will spend ample time at United’s Carrington training facility, closely working with the squad ahead of the four-hour trip to Portman Road for his debut match.
With Amorim’s background as a Portuguese manager, many anticipate that one of his former players from Sporting Lisbon, Manuel Ugarte, will have more first-team opportunities at United.
Ugarte, a midfielder known under Amorim’s coaching as one of Europe’s top defensive midfielders, joined United in the summer but has struggled to consistently perform at the expected level since his arrival.
Given Amorim’s tactical preferences, especially the 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formations, Ugarte has been frequently positioned to utilize his defensive strengths.
Despite this, fans have raised concerns about his chemistry with United’s experienced midfielder, Casemiro.
Social media discussions during the Chelsea match highlighted issues in the partnership between Ugarte and Casemiro, particularly in attacking transitions, with many fans observing that the two didn’t appear to complement each other well.
One fan captured this frustration on social media, saying, “A Ugarte-Casemiro double pivot might be one of the worst combinations possible.” This reflects wider fan doubts about whether the current pairing can meet the intense demands of the Premier League.
Most concerns focus on Ugarte’s apparent difficulty adapting to the league’s fast pace, especially given his recent struggles since joining United.
As Amorim starts implementing his strategies, supporters hope he will address these issues, particularly if the club continues to use the Ugarte-Casemiro partnership.
With the rigorous Premier League schedule, Amorim’s ability to quickly evaluate and enhance team dynamics will be crucial for United to stay competitive.
Fans and analysts alike are keen to see if Amorim can leverage his experience with Ugarte and whether he will tweak United’s tactics or formations to better utilize the team’s strengths.
For now, excitement builds as United heads into a pivotal period, with hopes that Amorim’s approach will bring positive changes to the team’s dynamics and performance.
