There is plenty of excitement and intrigue surrounding the team selections Ruben Amorim will make for his first game in charge of Manchester United.
Luke Shaw is likely to miss out as it has been suggested that he will be brought back slowly. Despite this, there are a number of players who may return.
Leny Yoro could make his Manchester United debut on Sunday, while Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount along with Tyrell Malacia could be in contention for a start.
Malacia’s potential return would be key for Ruben Amorim’s system, slotting in as the left-sided wing-back – a position that Erik ten Hag also struggled to fill, although it was a left-back for him.
Now, Amorim has been discussing how the right side of his Manchester United team could look – with Amad Diallo tipped for a surprising
Ruben Amorim hints at new Amad Diallo role
Along with the press conference in which Amorim revealed where United must improve, he also sat down with Gary Neville for his first non-club media interview as head coach.
During this interview, Neville asked Amorim about the wing-back roles and whether this would see wingers used or more traditional full-backs.
Amorim’s answer dropped a big hint about a potential new role for Amad.
“We will change the players,” Amorim told Sky Sports to begin.
“Because if we play with Dalot on one side and then Diallo in the same position. Same position, different guy, different structure.”
Amorim naming Amad as an option at right wing-back is intriguing and a move which we could theoretically see implemented against inferior opposition.
However, there’s just one problem for Amorim.
Amorim on how Manchester United wing-back roles will begin
After making the admission over Amad, Amorim also explained why Amad may not be a wing-back immediately.
“We will start with full-backs in the wing-back positions,” the 39-year-old explained, “because teaching a winger to defend is harder.”
This places a heavy emphasis on Malacias being fit, or maybe even Harry Amass stepping up into the first team initially.
However, not using wingers in the wing-back roles will also mean that competition for the front three positions will be extremely tight – at least until he is confident with the defensive qualities of his attacking squadron.
Only three of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund will start in this case – an impressive level of depth.
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