Amorim’s MU tactics broken down with clear No10 issue and striker dilemma

RUBEN AMORIM promised in his first press conference that we would see 'an idea' of his methods and approach at Ipswich - and it took just 81 seconds!

Marcus Rashford may have got the manager off to a flier, but there is clearly lots more work to do.

Here, presenter of our brilliant new YouTube show Tactics Exposed, Dean Scoggins gives a tactical rundown of Amorim's first game.

FORMATION CLEAR

As expected, Amorim went for his tried and tested 3-4-3 formation. Rashford led the line with two 'inside forwards' playing around him.

The three defenders were very much centre-backs and were very structured - especially when playing out from the back.

The system relies on a huge amount of running from the wing-backs and midfield two.

Perhaps surprisingly, it was Noussair Mazraoui chosen in defence with Diogo Dalot then at left wing-back.

It is obvious this is the system Amorim believes in.

Despite the early goal, there was still a lack of creativity but he has had just a week on the training ground.

Amorim said: "The system is not the concern, everyone is talking about it - but it's the players understanding how were are going to play, not their positions."

MIDFIELD STRUGGLES

Amorim started with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the centre of the field.

Despite them clearly being drilled to stay close and work together, they were caught numerous times in transition and looked short of legs to play in these roles.

The two experienced players looked unsure if they were pushing up behind their attacking players, or sitting deep in front of the defence and Ipswich's best moments in the first half came from those two being neither up or back.

It looked far more natural when Manuel Ugarte came on and was later partnered by Bruno Fernandes, they worked better as a pair and pressed higher to put more pressure on the Town midfield.

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IMPERFECT 10s

The role Amorim wants his 'inside forwards' to play is not quite as a No10.. but these are the playmakers.

Four players got the chance to be in those positions and none of them really made an impact on the game.

Amorim said his players were 'thinking too much' and that was clear as they didn't have an instinctive view on when to run in behind and when to drop deep to receive the ball.

The Portuguese coach likes these players to be 'different' in that one is more of a traditional No10 and the other makes runs in behind.

Garnacho made lots of runs but was barely found, Bruno linked play well in the early stages but was often touching the ball in deep areas that gave no danger to Ipswich.

Amorim brought on Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount as fresh legs in these positions but with little joy.

It will be these positions that take the most work.

AMAD WORLD

Ivorian winger Amad got a new position at right wing-back.

Again, Amorim likes to have different profiles of player on each side and Amad is the direct runner, whilst Dalot is more of a traditional full-back and cuts inside on his right foot from left wing-back.

Amad started the game superbly with the bursting run to set up Rashford for the goal - and it is this type of direct running that Amorim loves.

But the intensity dropped and Amad spent more time in a traditional right-back position and lots of time defending rather than attacking.

He had some bursts in the second half, but it was from far too deep to create any more clear chances.

HOJLUND v RASHFORD

The No9 position is going to be hotly debated, it's clear that this player has to work VERY hard, running the channels and creating space for the other forwards around him.

Obviously Rashford got the dream start - but it went quickly downhill from there and he struggled physically and to get back into the game.

The press looked disorganised too - but Amorim has had only a couple of days on the training ground.

Hojlund looked a far more natural fit for what Amorim wants.. this player must come to feet, be physical with centre-backs and then spin and get in the box for crosses.. more of an old-school No9.