IF Ruben Amorim didn’t recognize the scale of his task at Manchester United before, he certainly does now.
Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford by Bournemouth left United 13th on Christmas Day — seven points closer to the relegation zone than top of Prem.
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Ruben Amorim had a tough start to life at Man UtdCredit: PA
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The Red Devils suffered a humiliating defeat at Bournemouth on SundayCredit: Alamy
The Portuguese coach pondered whether to make the Prem jump mid-season or wait until the end of the campaign before leaving Sporting Lisbon.
Unsurprisingly, the lure of Old Trafford and the turnaround of the beleaguered beast proved too much.
But Amorim must swing the magic wand quickly or risk seeing the season fall apart, with dire consequences for summer recruiting.
Amorim has a preferred 3-4-3 formation and much of the squad he inherited was not designed to play in such a system.
If fans didn’t believe it a few weeks ago, they will now.
SunSport looks at the five players Amorim needs to build his squad around, the five he needs to push through the exit door and those whose futures rest in their hands…
STAYERS —
MANUEL UGARTE
The Uruguayan midfielder struggled in his first few games, but that could be because everything Erik ten Hag touched was already starting to turn to dust.
In recent weeks, Ugarte has looked like the real deal, with a genuine ability to do that vital dirty work in midfield.
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The Uruguayan has shown signs of life under AmorimCredit: Rex
AMAD DIALLO
The Ivorian Wideman has been at United for five years — but he’s starting to turn his promise into something concrete.
Amorim needs wider players in his attacking trident to be able to invert and cause problems, but also to have the ability to attack in the outer areas of the pitch. Amad fills all these boxes, with a pace to ignite.
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Amad Diallo was a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season at UnitedCredit: Rex
LENY YORO
Another United youngster plagued by injuries since his summer arrival from Lille.
There is a lot for the 19-year-old to learn and assuming Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire stay, they can help him live up to the reputation he arrived with from France.
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Leny Yoro arrived from France with loads of potentialCredit: Getty
BRUNO FERNANDES
Some still accuse the Portuguese of being an even-handed bully, but he remains at the creative heart of most of what United do well.
Of course, Amorim needs his captain to lead, not hide, and Fernandes still has games where he could disappear. But if he plays well, United usually play too.
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Bruno Fernandes remains in the heart of Man UtdCredit: Rex
KOBBIE MAINOO
He missed the start of the Amorim era with injury and three losses in four games as his return does not bode well.
Mainoo, however, still lacks match sharpness. Yes, the 19-year-old makes mistakes.
But he has the ability to make his mark in midfield and can form a suitable partnership with Ugarte if given time to work on it.
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Kobbie Mainoo remains one of United’s most promising players Credit: Rex
LEAVES —
MARCUS RASHFORD
Rashford’s decision to go public with his willingness to leave his boyhood club could make things easier for Amorim rather than being seen to push the Englishman out the door.
But it was hard to see the striker as a natural for the Amorim system – even before the fallout of the last two weeks.
Unlike many potential discards, selling Rashford also makes economic sense, as any transfer fee can be calculated at full book value in the club’s accounting under the Profit and Sustainability Rules.
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Marcus Rashford has signaled his desire to leave UnitedCredit: Getty
ANTONIUS
Many Stretford End regulars saw the Brazilian after a few months when he joined in the summer of 2022.
Almost 2 and a half years later, other United fans have caught up.
Winger Antony represents the worst of Ten Hag’s Eredivisie players he knew from his Ajax days.
The £85.5m flop offers nothing. Getting rid, even at a huge loss, is the only option.
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Antony produces another terrible seasonCredit: Getty
CASEMIRO
The Brazilian’s arrival from Real Madrid may have made sense at the time and he scored in the 2023 Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle.
Yet United are now shelling out a fortune for a midfielder who can barely rumble, let alone run, and who has been overtaken by the worst enemy of all – time.
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Casemir’s best days in football appear to be behind himCredit: Alamy
LISANDRO MARTINEZ
Another Ten Haga project that seems to be coming together in recent weeks — and making way too many mistakes.
The Argentinian defender has never been so physically imposing, but he is constantly shrinking away from the fight.
He looks like a player who doesn’t want to be there.
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Lisandro Martinez has not delivered this seasonCredit: Rex
LUKE SHAW
It’s harsh to blame the England left-back – but his body has let him down so much that Amorim can’t rely on his form.
Shaw would be ideal at left back for the next two years if he could guarantee availability. But it just can’t.
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Luke Shaw suffered desperately through injuries Credit: Rex
A LOT TO PROVE —
MASON BRACKET
Another whose problems are physical, but just nine Prem starts in the 18 months since his move from Chelsea will tell you everything about the England midfielder.
Mount, if fit, could definitely have a role, even if he is off the bench. But what are the chances that it will remain available long enough?
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Mason Mount was sent off early against Man City. Credits: PA
RASMUS HOYLUND
United thought enough of the Dane’s potential to pay £64m up front to bring him from Atalanta — and he will likely get the chance to be the first-choice No.9.
Hojlund, however, has yet to be convinced that he is the natural predator United were hoping to sign.
It is still a work in progress.
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Rasmus Hojlund showed flashes of promise Credit: Rex
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO
Dropped for the 2-1 derby win over City and in the firing line by some as United’s mole hunt continues, the winger produced the right response in training.
Prem’s three goals this season, however, is a poor return and that Puskas reward for his fantastic strike at Everton last term will mean little to the new manager.
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Alejandro Garnacho flattered to cheat this seasonCredit: Getty
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE
Precious little, so far, to conclude that the Dutch forward could have a long-term future at Old Trafford.
However, it makes no sense to leave him after only a few months at the club.
Zirkzee needs to show that he is driven and dangerous – to get things going instead of waiting for opportunities to fall at his feet.
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Joshua Zirkzee has yet to give birth since joining from BolognaCredit: Rex
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI
Versatility and the ability to play in a range of roles at the back can help the Moroccan.
So far, though, he’s done little to show that he’ll be part of the furniture for too long.
It’s hard to see him operating as a full-back barring injuries and does he have the defensive resilience to be trusted in a back three? It is up to him to give the answer.
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Noussair Mazraoui arrived from Bayern this summerCredit: Rex
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