Manchester United XI vs Ipswich: Kobbie Mainoo to return as Rúben Amorim drops star

Rúben Amorim is expected to drop Manuel Ugarte as Kobbie Mainoo returns to the Manchester United XI after his hamstring injury.

Rúben Amorim is set to take charge of Manchester United for the first time as head coach when his team travel to Ipswich Town for a crucial Premier League clash.

The game, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, provides United’s players with much-needed recovery time after the international break, during which 13 players represented their countries and others focused on returning from injuries.

Read More: Martínez, Maguire, Shaw – Manchester United latest injury news as Rúben Amorim shares update

Currently 13th in the Premier League table, United have shown signs of progress under Ruud van Nistelrooy, who helped stabilize the team after a challenging spell under Erik ten Hag. Optimism is beginning to grow as the club aim to climb the standings.

Despite their current position, United are only four points behind Arsenal and Chelsea, both of whom occupy Champions League qualification spots—illustrating how closely contested the race for Europe is.

Mainoo to return

After conducting his first four training sessions, Rúben Amorim has had time to understand some of his players’ strengths and weaknesses and is due to select his first XI in the coming days.

André Onana will start in goal, having played every Premier League minute since he signed for the club in 2023.

Amorim’s new 3-4-3 system will require three centre-backs to play alongside two wing-backs. The 39-year-old only has Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans, and Matthijs de Ligt available, and the three are expected to start.

For the wing-backs, Amorim told Sky Sports that he feels he will start fullbacks rather than wingers for now, meaning Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui will likely start on the right and left sides, respectively.

In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo is expected to return to the XI alongside Casemiro, as the pair have trained together under Amorim for the last few days, with Mainoo receiving particular praise from the Portuguese.

Although many point to Manuel Ugarte as a player who will thrive under the new coach, the 23-year-old star has only just flown back from Uruguay, so he is more likely to be given extra recovery time.

In attack, Amorim will have to fill the striker role and the two attacking midfielders. Captain Bruno Fernandes will likely start as the left attacking midfielder, while Amad Diallo has been touted for the position on the right.

Marcus Rashford is the most likely man to start at striker, having trained in the position this week under Amorim.

Man United expected XI

Onana, Dalot, Yoro, Evans, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Rashford.

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