I think you've summed it up well, although not identical to Sporting players, a lot of our current players will fit the system. I don't think INEOS were going to go for a manager that needs 8 new first team players to make his tactics work, that's bonkers.

Wing backs are the biggest concern but we should be able to make do for now, expectations are low for this season anyway

I've watched a total of one full match played by Amorim's Sporting....

--

More than the average JA poster, myself included!

They will all get a chance to impress him and we will just have to see how we get on I suppose. This season will be a bit of a freehit really.

4th isn't beyond us but it's going to be extremely difficult that's for sure.

The Europa League is very winnable. I'd say that's going to take a huge priority in our season. If Lazio, Spurs and Olympiakos are among the favourites then we have to fancy we can be too if we can find some form. Still got 5 more group games as well to turn it around.

comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 22 seconds ago
I've watched a total of one full match played by Amorim's Sporting....

--

More than the average JA poster, myself included!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Arsenal - Sporting tie a few years ago was a cracking spectacle. They knocked out Arteta's team on away goals.

Don't confess to have watched much Portuguese league football though but might tune in tonight. 👀

Garnacho or Amad as a wing-back seems a non-starter to me. Just seems like a waste of the things they are good at - I'd literally consider converting Rashford before that. Not suggesting it's a possibility, but didn't Mount have a few games at RWB under Potter? Antony... I could actually see him as the Brazilian Valencia, elegantly curling the ball into the shinpads of the nearest defender.

Seriously, I hope Harry Amass gets some playing time. Dalot and Mazraoui should also be good enough for the time being.

Ugarte must be over the moon, his signing alone indicates to me discussions with Ruben pre-date the season kicking off.
The really encouraging thing for me is he is comfortable competing and besting teams with bigger resources with the squad he is presented with.
Yoro’s development under him will be the most interesting to watch IMO

This is a good read


https://www.premierleague.com/news/4160112

Interesting analysis. Very good read. I can't see Bruno not being a regular starter under Amorim, he's our most creative player. I expect it will be him +1 behind Hojlund.

I really can't guess who the four behind will be except Mainoo who looks the only certainty.

One thing we don't know is whether Amorim will adapt his formation so it's not typically 3 at the back.

Also Amorim is known for improving players which has been long overdue at United. I'm really looking forward to him improving the likes of Garnacho, Amad and Mainoo. I'd love to see their game progressing and for them to grow as players.

Hopefully he can do the same with Rashford and would it be too much to expect the same for Antony? Maybe that's a stretch.

The defence is going to be equally challenging. Defenders whose confidence is shot can be the hardest thing to tackle. They will have to believe in his approach and be well coached in it. If they can see it working on matchdays then I can see it turning around. If it is a back 3, personally I think Lisandro, Maguire and Yoro are the best choice. Until Yoro returns, Ligt.

I’m looking for work ethic, effort, organisation, good passing, creativity, and better chance conversion. Which formation brings out the best of these will depend on whether Almorim is allowed to use his preferred formation and tactics given the limitations of a developing squad. As a pragmatic disciple of Jose, he’ll likely adapt to whatever approach gets the best results. Let's wait and see!

Whilst Amorim has his 3-4-3, I would like to think he is pragmatic enough that he can change it slightly depending on what he can do with the players he has here in the short-term. I'm just wanting him to give the players a boost, some belief in the manager and be able to really communicate what he wants.

There's bound to be some experimentation, but the rest of the season can be used to make some progress without having crazy expectations. I hope / expect to see improvement in certain players and chances given to younger ones also

Hmm... I get the feeling it won't suit Rashford, but bring United it will have to work

comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 1 minute ago
Whilst Amorim has his 3-4-3, I would like to think he is pragmatic enough that he can change it slightly depending on what he can do with the players he has here in the short-term. I'm just wanting him to give the players a boost, some belief in the manager and be able to really communicate what he wants.

There's bound to be some experimentation, but the rest of the season can be used to make some progress without having crazy expectations. I hope / expect to see improvement in certain players and chances given to younger ones also
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From what I've read he's been adaptable with the players at his disposal until he gets the ones to fit the system. Very excited for this appointment if he's as tactically astute as they say.

Finally, Carl Anka notes that we should get more value from Onana's short passing ability with the emphasis on creating patterns and movements that enable build-up from deep
-----------------
I hope so. No matter what people think of Onana, I don't think there is a better keeper around in build up when it comes to manipulating an opposition press. It's a hell of a potential weapon to have, and I was really disappointed that ETH never seemed to get the most out of it.

Ugarte and Bruno. Fin.

I'm not saying it will happen, but in particular I'm hoping he can get Rashy to be more consistent, improve Dalot, get Mainoo and Garnacho to their full potential and give us a more solid defensive foundation.

But I get the feeling that he will quickly recognise who can't do a job for him and move them on, and will promote from within if we can't get the player we need.

Of course it all won't happen at once or immediately, but I just feel positive about his appointment and the effect he could have

If you have anything about you as a player you'd see this as an opportunity to get back into a manager's good books if you've not being played much recently.

I've got a suspicion we may see some surprise 'losers' too in all of this. Our interest in Branthwaite seemed pretty solid and I wonder if we go back in for him which could affect Martinez?

I'm hoping he can do to Hojlund what he seemingly did for Gyokeres.

Perhaps he'll also reinvent Antony? After all Victor Moses became a title winning Wing Back without being particularly outstanding defending or attacking. May suit our likeable Brazilian.

comment by kramthered (U10304)
posted 38 minutes ago
Ugarte must be over the moon, his signing alone indicates to me discussions with Ruben pre-date the season kicking off.
The really encouraging thing for me is he is comfortable competing and besting teams with bigger resources with the squad he is presented with.
Yoro’s development under him will be the most interesting to watch IMO

This is a good read


https://www.premierleague.com/news/4160112

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for sharing that link. A good write-up (and encouraging portrayal) of Amorim's qualities as a manager.

While reading that I saw a link to another article on the PL website, which gives a detailed tactical analysis of Amorim's methods. Worth a read for those who like to delve into tactics; https://www.premierleague.com/news/3962115

comment by Diafol Coch 77 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 JA... (U2462)
posted 1 minute ago
If you have anything about you as a player you'd see this as an opportunity to get back into a manager's good books if you've not being played much recently.

I've got a suspicion we may see some surprise 'losers' too in all of this. Our interest in Branthwaite seemed pretty solid and I wonder if we go back in for him which could affect Martinez?

I'm hoping he can do to Hojlund what he seemingly did for Gyokeres.

Perhaps he'll also reinvent Antony? After all Victor Moses became a title winning Wing Back without being particularly outstanding defending or attacking. May suit our likeable Brazilian.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, all of the words to describe Antony, likeable isn't up there

If Amorim turns him into half a footballer, he really is a genius

Can’t guess what on earth Amorim is going to do with this squad, but to get as close as possible to his more recent Sporting sides (because his tactics have evolved over the last couple of season), we’d be looking like:

——Yoro—De Ligt/Slabs—Martinez/Shaw

Garnacho——Ugarte——Mount——???

————Amad——————Bruno

————————Hojlund

When Sporting are in control of the game, the wider CBs both have licence to join the midfield to help fill gaps (both CMs are expected to make runs into the box) and help circulate the ball, and the wingback are very often playing higher up than the midfield base (including in their *starting* positions).

Winners: hardworking, hard pressing, sharp, intelligent, progressive players.

Losers: leggier players, slower players (with the exceptions of the central CB/sweeper), dawdlers on the ball, players without good close control.

comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 JA... (U2462)
posted 1 minute ago
If you have anything about you as a player you'd see this as an opportunity to get back into a manager's good books if you've not being played much recently.

I've got a suspicion we may see some surprise 'losers' too in all of this. Our interest in Branthwaite seemed pretty solid and I wonder if we go back in for him which could affect Martinez?

I'm hoping he can do to Hojlund what he seemingly did for Gyokeres.

Perhaps he'll also reinvent Antony? After all Victor Moses became a title winning Wing Back without being particularly outstanding defending or attacking. May suit our likeable Brazilian.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, all of the words to describe Antony, likeable isn't up there

If Amorim turns him into half a footballer, he really is a genius
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Antony has plenty of technical skill, as seen at Ajax. He has great work rate and is pretty tactically disciplined. His lack of explosive pace has been a massive limiting factor in the PL, and I think that has impacted his confidence. Whether playing as a wing back might mean the pace doesn't matter so much (not so much emphasis on beating players in tight spaces because he won't be as close to goal / won't be as tightly martialled by defenders) and whether Amorim can build him back up remain to be seen.

Is it beyond the realms of possibility that Bruno & Ugarte would be the '2' in midfield and Amad and one of Garnacho or Rashford the inside forwards off of Rasmus? It would be the most energetic midfield pairing we could put together.

Given that we lack any attacking wing-backs who possess that verve and intensity going forward then there may be scope to have a more attack minded central midfield player in alongside a destroyer. Plus the extra CB could help.

Ultimately I haven't watched Sporting. But in a 3-4-3 I'd want my two CB's either side to be mobile and comfortable defending in wider areas. I love Martinez but that's not his forte, and we haven't yet seen Yoro. If Shaw was fit he'd look a good option there, and maybe we might look to move again for Branthwaite.

I think Dalot and Mazraoui are good FB's and you could comfortably play one of them as a WB, but for me they'd be competing for the RWB slot; we very much need a LWB who is left footed and offers more going forward than either of the other two do.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by kramthered (U10304)
posted 38 minutes ago
Ugarte must be over the moon, his signing alone indicates to me discussions with Ruben pre-date the season kicking off.
The really encouraging thing for me is he is comfortable competing and besting teams with bigger resources with the squad he is presented with.
Yoro’s development under him will be the most interesting to watch IMO

This is a good read


https://www.premierleague.com/news/4160112

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for sharing that link. A good write-up (and encouraging portrayal) of Amorim's qualities as a manager.

While reading that I saw a link to another article on the PL website, which gives a detailed tactical analysis of Amorim's methods. Worth a read for those who like to delve into tactics; https://www.premierleague.com/news/3962115
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’d encourage everyone to look at the second image down, which tells you an awful lot about where Amorim’s ‘wide’ forwards play at Sporting.

Although the pair *play* like wide forwards (ball carrying, taking players on, running in behind, one-twos to get in), they do so from very, very central, almost number ten positions.

It isn’t a role for Rashford, Garnacho or Antony, IMO. Bruno, Amad, maybe Zirkzee if he has the legs for it (and uses them).

comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 1 minute ago
Is it beyond the realms of possibility that Bruno & Ugarte would be the '2' in midfield and Amad and one of Garnacho or Rashford the inside forwards off of Rasmus? It would be the most energetic midfield pairing we could put together.

Given that we lack any attacking wing-backs who possess that verve and intensity going forward then there may be scope to have a more attack minded central midfield player in alongside a destroyer. Plus the extra CB could help.

Ultimately I haven't watched Sporting. But in a 3-4-3 I'd want my two CB's either side to be mobile and comfortable defending in wider areas. I love Martinez but that's not his forte, and we haven't yet seen Yoro. If Shaw was fit he'd look a good option there, and maybe we might look to move again for Branthwaite.

I think Dalot and Mazraoui are good FB's and you could comfortably play one of them as a WB, but for me they'd be competing for the RWB slot; we very much need a LWB who is left footed and offers more going forward than either of the other two do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bruno or Mount with Ugarte is possible. See my post above, but unless his use of his forwards changes, I don’t think we can expect to get much from Rashford or Garnacho as one of his inside forwards (which are more like mobile tens, really).

You’re bang on about the wider CBs. They’re very mobile and play almost as utility players at times in his system.

As for the wingbacks, and I cannot stress this enough, they have white paint on their boots for 90 mins and do very little defending. Really, we’re talking about old fashioned wingers, particularly on one side.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by kinsang (U3346)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 JA... (U2462)
posted 1 minute ago
If you have anything about you as a player you'd see this as an opportunity to get back into a manager's good books if you've not being played much recently.

I've got a suspicion we may see some surprise 'losers' too in all of this. Our interest in Branthwaite seemed pretty solid and I wonder if we go back in for him which could affect Martinez?

I'm hoping he can do to Hojlund what he seemingly did for Gyokeres.

Perhaps he'll also reinvent Antony? After all Victor Moses became a title winning Wing Back without being particularly outstanding defending or attacking. May suit our likeable Brazilian.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
, all of the words to describe Antony, likeable isn't up there

If Amorim turns him into half a footballer, he really is a genius
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Antony has plenty of technical skill, as seen at Ajax. He has great work rate and is pretty tactically disciplined. His lack of explosive pace has been a massive limiting factor in the PL, and I think that has impacted his confidence. Whether playing as a wing back might mean the pace doesn't matter so much (not so much emphasis on beating players in tight spaces because he won't be as close to goal / won't be as tightly martialled by defenders) and whether Amorim can build him back up remain to be seen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course I jest a bit, but I would like to think there is a lot more to Antony than what we have seen. For someone who was previously coached by ETH, I do feel he had somewhat abandoned him this season, but who knows with a new manager (altho honestly, I'm not expecting much)

These questions are always difficult because coaches aren’t as idealistic as many think they are, and trying to map a different squad onto their old clubs is very difficult because of this.

I think Pep’s probably a good example of this, when you consider he’s considered the most idealistic coach there is but his teams have massively evolved since his Barca days. For example, a lot of people thought that Fernandinho, Walker, Sterling and Aguero would find themselves not fitting his ideals before he went to City. But they became key players for years.

I think there’s probably plenty of players in this United team that can similarly make themselves key players under Amorim, even if they don’t share the same styles as a number of his Sporting players.

Fwiw, I predict that this may prove to be a bad day for Rashford, Zirkzee, Antony, and Eriksen. And may be a suboptimal one for Mainoo and Dalot.