Man Utd transfer news

RUBEN Amorim takes over as Man United manager today with the club in dire need of a strong man at the helm.The job proved too big for Dutchman Erik ten Hag, who was sacked despite winning two FA Cups.Ruben Amorim is preparing to take over at Man UtdCredit: EPABruno Fernandes rues a missed chance against ChelseaCredit: RexNow United’s key owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has turned to Portuguese rising star Amorim as the man to revive Utd’s flagging fortunes.But can the young Sporting Lisbon coach return the Old Trafford club to their former glories?He certainly made a huge statement when his Sporting side demolished Man City 4-1 in the Champions League.But Man Utd will be a totally different proposition. Read more on Man UtdAnd Amorim, 39, will need to hit the ground running when he starts the job today to lift the gloom and stamp his authority on the club.Here are three ways in which Amorim can immediately improve United from day one.He has a clear tactical identityOne of the biggest issues that Ten Hag had as coach at United was that he very quickly changed and abandoned the key parts of his tactical identity and game model. When he first arrived in England he was thought of as a counter pressing and possession-orientated coach who wanted his team to play out from the back and dominate teams. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat was never quite the reality at Old Trafford, however.And one of the biggest issues that we saw from the side under Ten Hag was that they never really excelled in any one aspect of the team.That will certainly not be the case under Amorim.It seems almost certain that the Portuguese coach will bring his 3-4-3 structure to Old Trafford with him. He likes his teams to play through the thirds and to dominate possession when moving the ball out from the back. ‘Ruben Amorim feels like Erik ten Hag all over again – Man Utd missed out on the perfect coach who’s done it already’ says Paul Scholes Sporting lined up in their familiar 3-4-3 formation against Man City this weekOne of the biggest issues that he may have in the first few months at Old Trafford, however, may well be the lack of three central defenders who are capable of playing the way that he wants.We are likely to see Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt as two of them but the third central defender may well be one of Jonny Evans or Harry Maguire.Or £52million summer signing Leny Yoro could fill in when he returns from injury.Sporting Lisbon’s 3-4-3 formation as the build from the back with wing backs pushed high up the pitchYoro, 18, was sidelined after sustaining a metatarsal injury during the pre-season friendly against Arsenal but could be in contention to face Ipswich on November 24.The three central defenders provide the base and in deeper positions the two central midfielders will stay relatively close to help move through the press. The wingbacks are encouraged to play high while the attacking midfielders come inside to play almost as two No 10’s behind the main striker.The roles of the players in Amorim’s 3-4-3 are very clear. Under Amorim’s leadership, United be well coached and aware of their individual roles in the team. The three central defenders all have to be comfortable in possession but also adept at defending in 1v1 battles. The wingbacks are encouraged to play higher and to act more as midfielders or even wingers in possession. In the initial build-up the two central midfielders sit deep together but as the ball progresses forward they split with one moving higher and one sitting deeper. The two advanced midfielders initially stay wide but move inside as Sporting attack into the final third and the striker plays high and holds the line.Sporting’s shape in attack shows how Amorim likes to work – a solid back three, wingbacks as wingers, and mobile inside fowardsThese very specific tactical roles would have two immediate benefits for United and their players. The first is that all players would be absolutely clear in the expectations from the coaching staff. The second regards recruitment, as the profiles of players that United need to sign would be very specific and clear.This is a marked improvement on Ten Hag’s confused coaching and United’s short-term transfer strategy.Central overloads in the attackOne key change that we could well see at United is an emphasis on creating a lot of overloads in the centre of the final third.This comes with looking to break the opposition down through quick combinations in that area. One of the biggest problems that we had consistently seen from United under Ten Hag was that there was no clear way that they intended to create opportunities in the final third.Amorim is a coach who will come in and immediately improve United both in the attacking and defensive phases of the gameOften it seemed as though United were relying on a shot from range from Bruno Fernandes or the likes of Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho to show a moment of magic and create a shooting opportunity.Amorim, however, wants his teams to be more structured and well organised as they attack. The main striker will play high on the shoulder of the last defender and look to make runs to attack space. This will create space for the two advanced midfielders, and one of the deeper midfielders, to move into advanced spaces and the wingbacks act as wingers. These movement patterns create overloads and help Sporting CP to break down opposition teams.This time Sporting pack the central areas, as the two advanced midfielders have moved inside and create an overload opportunity centrally when Sporting decide to play more verticallyHow United could line up under their new managerThis decision to attack through more central overloads, however, has interesting implications for Man United and their current playing squad. The roles of the two deeper central midfielders would ideally go to Manuel Ugarte, who played under Amorim at Sporting before moving to PSG, and Kobbie Mainoo.But where would Bruno Fernandes play? The most likely role for the Portuguese international would be as one of the two advanced midfielders, likely on the right, with one of Rashford or Garnacho playing from the left.MORE ON RUBEN AMORIMAmorim’s wife will become Manchester rival with her best friendMan Utd face being forced into end-of-season firesaleSporting expect Amorim and Man Utd to launch transfer raid for THREE starsThis positioning for Fernandes as the advanced midfielder would free him up to play more in the attack.His ability to come inside and receive in the final third in space between the striker and deeper midfielders would then be vital to the team.Sporting’s wingbacks move high to play as wingers and the advanced midfielders move inside to play closer to the striker. In these situations it is very difficult for the opposition to defendBruno Fernandes played most of the game v Chelsea in his own halfMan United would benefit from having a fully structured and well set out plan on how to attack. Amorim would bring this in immediately.Amorim will improve United defensivelyAs well as being a coach with a clear play in the attacking phase Amorim is also a coach who understands how to set his team up in an effective defensive block. He likes his team to play in a compact central defensive shape that will force the opposition to try to attack down and around the outside.Given that one of the biggest criticisms that has been labelled at United under Ten Hag was that defensively there were too many gaps, especially in the midfield, that could be exploited by the opposition as they attacked. This is absolutely an area in which Amorim can come in and improve United almost immediately.Even in moments of transition as the opposition attack Amorim set his team in such a way that they are compact with a lot of bodies around the ball to prevent the opposition from being able to play around too easilyDo not expect to see United under Amorim acting as an aggressive defensive side as he wants his entire team to stay compact behind the ball.This central defensive block is designed to force the opposition down the outside.But when the ball is played wide Amorim wants his team to be aggressive in sliding across and becoming tight and compact around the ball. This creates turnover opportunities and allows Amorim’s teams to regain possession and prevent the attack from breaking through.Sporting create a strong defensive block that protects the centre of the pitch. The wingbacks drop to form a back 5 with the two deepest midfielders ahead of them and then the two advanced midfielders followed by the main strikerUnited need badly to improve against the ball and, again, crucially Amorim is a coach who has a clear and well thought-out plan of how he wants his teams to defend.ConclusionIn the end the Erik ten Hag era at United will be best remembered for a number of poor and disjointed performances.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim is a coach who will come in and immediately improve United both in the attacking and defensive phases of the game. This would give the current squad a far better chance to be successful in the future, and bring clarity to their transfer strategy. More

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY waved goodbye to the Manchester United interim job with his head held high as he oversaw a 3-0 win over Leicester.A wondergoal from Bruno Fernandes and a Rasmus Kristensen own goal in the first half and an Alejandro Garnacho screamer late on were all United needed to seal victory against the Foxes.Bruno Fernandes celebrated his 250th appearance for United with a classy openerCredit: ReutersThe win ensured Ruud van Nistelrooy leaves the interim role undefeatedCredit: GettyAlejandro Garnacho came off the bench to add a third in the second halfCredit: APAmad Diallo was selected in the starting XI after his midweek heroics against PAOK and this time turned provider as he back-heeled the ball into Fernandes’ path, who then netted a worldie on his 250th club appearance.Noussair Mazraoui later whipped a ball into the path of Fernandes, who miscued his header but saw the ball come off his thigh and deflect onto the leg of Kristensen before it bundled into the net.A low-key second half followed as United put in a professional display to preserve a clean sheet, though Garnacho came off the bench to add a stunning goal to his catalogue and make it 3-0.Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the Red Devils.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLANDRE ONANA – 7Stood tall when Ndidi went through on goal and a decent tip round the post from Ayew as Leicester tried to get back in it. NOUSSAIR MAZROUAI – 6Lucky to escape tackle on Buonanotte without any punishment. Supplied the cross from the left which led to United’s second goal. MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6 Made a key second half clearance when the Foxes were trying to find their way back into the game. Fairly comfortable afternoon for home defenders. LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7 Spent the first hour at centre half then showed his versatility by switching to left-back when Dalot was forced off.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDIOGO DALOT – 6Did a steady job keeping the Foxes at bay but then taken off on the hour – presumably due to injury as United had to reshuffle their defence. CASEMIRO – 7Better from the veteran Brazilian who helped United take command of the game before getting the chance to put his feet up late on. ‘That is so disrespectful’ says fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fanMANUEL UGARTE – 6Great challenge on Soumare showed what he is all about and some signs he is finding his feet. Will be looking forward to arrival of former boss Amorim. AMAD DIALLO – 7 Delightful backheel for Fernandes to curl home the opener and could have scored himself. The Ivorian has had a good week.  BRUNO FERNANDES – 8Presented with a shirt to mark his 250th appearance before the game and will be getting more plaudits for his performance here. Involved in all three goals. MARCUS RASHFORD – 5Given the nod to start ahead of Garnacho but did not do enough to justify the faith of van Nistelrooy. No surprise when he was replaced by the Argentine on the hour. RASMUS HOJLUND – 5A largely ineffective afternoon for the Danish forward before he was subbed late on. Nothing wrong with his work-rate but does he has the quality Amorim will want? SUBSEVANS for Dalot 57 – 6Stepped off the bench and slotted straight in. GARNACHO for Rashford 57 – 7Much more of a threat than Rashford and a stunning goal to seal it. READ MORE SUN STORIESZIRKZEE for Hojlund 75 – 5Didn’t see much of the ball in his cameo.ERIKSEN for Casemiro 79 – 5Kept it nice and simple as United saw the game out. More