Ruben Amorim is looking for a first win as Manchester United manager on Thursday as Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt visit Old Trafford in the Europa League.
The Red Devils were unable to secure the Portuguese coach’s debut triumph the following Sunday Unconvincing 1-1 draw with Ipswich Townbut a first taste of the Old Trafford crowd could mean a welcome win for the new United boss in midweek.
Amorim unleashed his preferred formation of three at the back at Portman Road and will stick with the system that brought him immense success with the Sporting CP. How many changes the 39-year-old makes against Bodo/Glimt remains to be seen as he faces his talented but underperforming side.
Here’s how Man Utd could line up in a first meeting with Bodo/Glimt.
GK: Andre Onana – The previously maligned goalkeeper has been up to the task this season and produced some fine saves from close range to prevent Amorim’s opening defeat at the weekend. He is one of the few whose place in the team is not under threat at the start of a new era.
CB: Noussair Mazraoui – Mazraoui didn’t quite convince as a right central defender against Ipswich but the centre-back’s fitness problems may force the Moroccan to play against Bodo/Glimt once more.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – There’s something about De Ligt that makes those in the stands a little nervous. The summer signing has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford and often lacks the composure to rally United’s backline.
CB: Lisandro MartÃnez – Amorim has confirmed that Martinez is available for midweek selection, with Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof likely to miss out. injury. The World Cup winner should be well suited to the left side of a back three.
RM: Amad Diallo – An energetic dart down the right wing and a cross for Marcus Rashford to forge United’s first goal at Portman Road, but Diallo struggled over the next 88 minutes in his new role.
CM: Casemiro – Casemiro will have been desperate to make a positive impression on Amorim, but he failed to do so in Suffolk. Kobbie Mainoo could enter Brazil in midweek if Amorim makes the changes.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – One player Amorim should be able to trust is Ugarte, who played 85 games with Sporting’s young coach. He could break into the starting XI against Bodo/Glimt after coming on as a substitute at the weekend.
LM: Diogo Dalot – The return of Luke Shaw at the weekend will serve as a big boost for Amorim, with Tyrell Malacia also on the bench. However, for Thursday, Dalot may have to stick him on the left flank.
RF: Bruno Fernandes – Fernandes did not look comfortable at right-forward, with the United skipper accustomed to operating as a number ten. Amorim will have to be patient with his compatriot as he learns a new role.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – United played without an orthodox striker against Ipswich, but Hojlund could return to the line-up on Thursday. Amorim will be keen to transform the Denmark international into a lightweight version of Viktor Gyokeres.
LF: Marcus Rashford – Rashford scored two minutes into the Amorim era but did little else against Ipswich. He needs to seize his opportunity at the start of a new dawn that has been lower for the past 18 months.
