What’s in Ruben Amorim’s in-tray at Manchester United?

Manchester United could have new manager Ruben Amorim in the dugout in time for Sunday’s game against Chelsea.

The Sporting CP boss is thought to be one step away from succeeding Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after United agreed to pay his €10million release clause.

Amorim, 39, is highly rated across European football but he will have his work cut out if he is to restore the Red Devils to their former glories, with the club currently 14th in the Premier League.

We look at the biggest tasks facing United’s reported new boss.

🚨🔴 BREAKING: Manchester United are set to pay €10m exit clause for Rúben Amorim to become new manager, here we go!

Sporting confirm formal communication received from #MUFC for Amorim to be appointed.

Amorim has already said yes to Man Utd proposal and project. pic.twitter.com/v17tR1oqlm

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2024

Work out who suits his style

A major criticism levelled at Ten Hag before his sacking was the lack of identity he stamped on the team despite more than two years in the role.

Amorim has a clear way of playing and the first task will to figure out who is best suited to the 3-4-3 he has deployed throughout his time in Lisbon, with high intensity and adaptable positioning two key traits.

It is a system which could well suit Rasmus Hojlund up front, similar to how it has got the best out of Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting, and Kobbie Mainoo should also flourish in the centre of the park.

Revive Bruno Fernandes

Two alumni from Sporting will look to lead United’s journey back to the top with Amorim set to work with captain Bruno Fernandes.

The duo’s time in the Portuguese capital never overlapped but Fernandes is sure to be a key factor in whether Amorim is successful in Manchester, with the 30-year-old still a huge influence on this side.

His form and confidence have taken a huge hit in the last 12 months but there remains no doubt that he is United’s most successful signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, so Amorim must find a way to revive the playmaker.

Shift out the deadwood

While United’s squad is not short of quality, there remains an equal amount of players who need to be moved on.

The likes of Antony, Lindelof and Casemiro are simply not at the level United require, while time is running out for Mason Mount to prove he can reach his previous high standards.

United cannot move forward if they still have passengers in their squad and while it is not solely Amorim’s responsibility, the Portuguese should work out a plan with sporting director Dan Ashworth to get the squad how he wants it.

Back to Old Trafford on Wednesday night 🔴#MUFC || #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/Lz9SvXnzKG

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 29, 2024

Solve the Rashford conundrum

As a local lad, there is always pressure on Marcus Rashford to carry the side and for too long he has struggled with the weight of that responsibility.

The England man enjoyed spells of good form under Ten Hag but his new manager will expect to see more consistency if he is to have a future under him.

It might be time for Amorim to demand the 26-year-old to improve, or face the door next summer.

Get the best out of Ugarte

One player Amorim knows he can get the best out of it is summer signing Manuel Ugarte, who played the best football of his career while at Sporting prior to his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

The Argentinian, who joined United for £42.5million in the summer, was earmarked as the defensive midfielder they needed but made a slow start to life at Old Trafford under the previous regime, playing just 106 minutes of action in the Premier League.

Ugarte needs time to settle in England but having a familiar manager and a familiar style will no doubt help the 23-year-old.

The partnership he can strike with Kobbie Mainoo at the centre of park could well be pivotal to Amorim’s system proving a success at the Theatre of Dreams.