Ruben Amorim has a Manchester United star who can earn the “trust of the manager” and the player has looked “really comfortable” in one key role.
That is according to Manchester United legend Jaap Stam, who believes that one player can emerge as a “leader” in an important position for Ruben Amorim.
Amorim has overseen both the highs and lows during his time at Old Trafford so far after succeeding Erik ten Hag as United manager in November.
Erik ten Hag was sacked in late October and United triggered Sporting CP’s £9.25m release clause to bring Amorim to the Premier League club.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager took charge at Old Trafford at the start of the November break, with Ruud van Nistelrooy departing after an interim spell.
Amorim, who inked a contract with United until June 2027, has picked up four wins as Red Devils head coach in his opening nine matches in charge at the club.
Stam on key Man Utd star
Ruben Amorim has wasted no time in implementing his philosophy on the Manchester United players, including a change in formation at the Red Devils.
The United manager was well-known for playing with a three-man backline at Sporting CP and Amorim has committed to his tactics at the Premier League club.
Lisandro Martinez has often been played as the left-sided centre-back and both Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt have been deployed out on the right at times.
Matthijs de Ligt has played in the central role at United, while Noussair Mazraoui and Victor Lindelof have featured in the three-man backline under Amorim.
However, Harry Maguire has excelled as the main central defender under Amorim and Jaap Stam believes the England star should be the “leader” of the defence.
“The leader in the Manchester United back three has to be there for the defenders but also the wing backs and the central midfielders, it’s really important that they know the role of everyone in the team,” Stam told Sports Lens.
“That knowledge is key as well as the communication, you also need to have a good relationship and the trust of the manager. That is very important and I think Harry Maguire can do that.
“He’s been playing that role and he looks really comfortable there given his experience in the past, he can play in the middle and with the right players in it can be successful.
Stam on Man Utd star De Ligt
Stam insisted that Amorim’s best option is to play Matthijs de Ligt out on the right and Lisandro Martinez on the left, with Harry Maguire being the central figure.
“Matthijs de Ligt is 25 and isn’t a young player anymore,” he continued.
“It’s up to him to step-up but we have seen that at times he has found the Premier League difficult.
“Sometimes managers have to make bold choices but also have options, Maguire can play in the middle and De Ligt could play on the right, that might be the best choice for the team at the moment with Lisandro Martinez on the left.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/xow0fju