Picking a starting XI for Ruben Amorim's first Manchester United game

After all the hype and conjecture, the Ruben Amorim era gets underway in earnest when Manchester United visit Ipswich Town today (kick-off 4.30pm GMT; 11.30am ET).

United’s new head coach tackles his first game in charge, and with the 39-year-old expected to implement the three-at-the-back system that became his hallmark at Portugal’s Sporting CP, his vision throws up a bevvy of selection dilemmas.

Who plays as United’s wing-backs? Does Marcus Rashford need to be deployed as a striker? And how do you fit in all three of Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Bruno Fernandes?

Here, The Athletic’s Manchester United writers have scratched their heads, stroked their chins and set out how they would line Amorim’s side up for Sunday’s game at Portman Road.

“I believe so much in our way of playing… there is no second way,” Amorim said on Friday in his first pre-match press conference as United head coach. So a 3-4-2-1 it is then, with some shoehorning of players into not their most natural positions.

I could have used Diogo Dalot as a wing-back but by placing him on the right of the three centre-backs, it allows more of United’s attractive talents into the team, such as Garnacho. He will provide the necessary height and width.

With Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, two players familiar with Amorim’s principles, down the spine of the team, the head coach has key connectors to relay simple messages in what is an unfamiliar formation. With an eye on the future, Kobbie Mainoo and Ugarte’s partnership is crucial to develop.

Although there is an argument for Amad to start, Rashford can provide more off-the-ball runs, which could be key to unlocking Ipswich. Amad would be a very strong replacement from the bench while Rasmus Hojlund is the most naturally suited centre-forward choice.

Charlotte Harpur

Amorim has said the list of names on the team sheet might seem very similar but the way United play will be different, and this XI could easily operate as a 4-2-3-1. But given he will use his back-three system from the start, the questions are over wing-backs.

He could go defensive as a precaution, but Garnacho’s qualities can map onto an attacking line-up from wing-back. Garnacho may see such a switch as something of a demotion but should United hold the majority of possession against Ipswich, his position would be high and wide. Dalot could operate as a mobile right-sided centre-half.

Mainoo and Ugarte look like a neat partnership in this formation. Amad’s close technical ability makes him the choice alongside Fernandes but this leaves a question as to where Rashford features.

He was up top in training this week — a solution? Hojlund surely needs a run of starts, though. Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount will be interesting players for Amorim but all are working their way back to full fitness.

Laurie Whitwell

As this is about our preference rather than predicting what Amorim will do, I wasn’t sure about going with three at the back but this system is United’s future, so we may as well start as we mean to go on.

Victor Lindelof is a contentious pick but I’d trust him to defend wide spaces on the right side of the back three more than I would Jonny Evans. I’m not sure Noussair Mazraoui is a wing-back, and even less sure he’s a left wing-back, but he’s playing well and the options are limited.

Garnacho has to stay further up the pitch and Fernandes has to play, meaning no start for either Amad or Rashford.

Mark Critchley

Amorim is here and that means it’s time for United fans and players alike to get used to a 3-4-3. Laurie has thankfully confirmed the Portuguese coach will be bringing his preferred formation over with him but there are a few square pegs at Old Trafford to be placed in round holes.

The wing-backs are selected almost by default, and I’ve opted for Mainoo rather than Ugarte as Casemiro’s partner in central midfield as the Englishman is superior as both a ball-carrier and passer. Hojlund is United’s best centre-forward option, so he beats out Joshua Zirkzee and Rashford up front.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s four-game interim stint was marked by the budding playing chemistry between Fernandes and Amad. Let’s build on it now.

Carl Anka

(Top photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)