Manchester United host Sunderland at Old Trafford later today, with under-fire manager Ruben Amorim desperate for a positive result to quieten speculation over his future
Another week, and another must-win game for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim. The win over Chelsea at the end of September hinted that United had turned a corner – instead they walked straight into a Brentford onslaught.
Defeat in the capital left the Red Devils marooned in the bottom half and piled the pressure back on Amorim. He is yet to reach his year anniversary at Old Trafford, but the vultures are circling.
The Portuguese’s Premier League record makes for sorry reading: 33 games, just nine wins and a sorry 17 defeats. United bosses insist they still back Amorim, but if that loss column increases this weekend – a decision may be forced upon them.
Newly promoted Sunderland are the visitors this weekend after a brilliant start to the new season. They will head to Old Trafford full of confidence that they can prolong the misery.
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Amorim has steadfastly backed his methods and suggested he would rather quit then change. But with the pressure truly on, could we finally see some alterations?
Mirror Football writers have had their say on how United should line up today and whether for the first time, Amorim will blink.
Ben Husband
I’ll start this by saying this is what I would do, rather than what I think Amorim will actually go with. In all likelihood, he has lived by the 3-4-2-1 sword…and will die by it as well.
But why go out wondering? A newly promoted team – albeit one in good form – at home, seems as good a time as any to rip it all up.
I’d go 4-2-3-1 and finally allow your best players to play in the best positions. First of all, I’m ending the Altay Bayindir experiment, Senne Lammens in goal.
Then a back four of Diogo Dalot, Mathijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu. And then in midfield, swallow your pride and start Kobbie Mainoo…there’s just no way he can’t improve on what we’ve seen. He can start next to Casemiro to add a solid base, allowing Bruno Fernandes to join Matheus Cunha on the left, Bryan Mbeumo on the right and Benjamin Sesko up top. It may not work, but at least he’s tried it.
Ben’s Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): Lammes; Dalot, De Ligt, Yoro, Dorgu; Mainoo, Casemiro; Cunha, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Sesko..
Felix Keith
We all know Ruben Amorim isn’t about to abandon his formation, so were I in charge then a bit of pragmatism would be the order of the day. What’s glaringly obvious to me is that United need to get their best player in his best position.
That means plonking Bruno Fernandes in a No.10 position, rather than wasting him further back. Benjamin Sesko can come off the bench as an impact sub, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo cutting in from the flanks and rotating into central positions when Fernandes vacates the space.
The midfield balance is the biggest issue that needs addressing, but how? Casemiro’s lack of mobility is there for all to see, but play him alongside Kobbie Mainoo and (maybe) his experience and ball-winning nous begins to shine.
Amad is back from compassionate leave and can overlap Mbeumo on the right. Matthijs de Ligt was dreadful against Brentford so makes way for Leny Yoro and it’s about time Senne Lammens get his debut because Altay Bayindir has done nothing to convince in goal.
Felix’s Man Utd XI (3-4-3): Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Fernandes, Mbeumo, Cunha.
Dan Marsh
I’ll play devils advocate here. Manchester United were poor against Brentford but I have seen signs of life during some of their other performances, particularly at the start of the season. He’s already made it clear he’s not for moving on the formation debate, so I’ll stick to the same shape.
The midfield is the issue for me. Bruno Fernandes is wasted in a deeper role, so I’d play him where he thrives: in one of the dual No 10 roles. That opens up a space for Kobbie Mainoo alongside Casemiro in the engine room while giving Fernandes license to pull the strings alongside Matheus Cunha. Bryan Mbeumo has been the most eye-catching of United’s summer signings and can play centrally, so he gets the nod just ahead of Benjamin Sesko up front.
In goal, now is as good a time as any to blood Senne Lammens and I’d be bringing Leny Yoro into the back three.
Dan’s Man Utd XI (3-4-3): Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.
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