Rúben Amorim must change his formation as Manchester United line up to face Leeds away from home in a Sunday afternoon Premier League tie.
Manchester United will be eager to turn the page on 2025 as Rúben Amorim prepares to take charge of his first fixture of the new year, with a testing trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.
United endured a frustrating year, coming up short at crucial moments as they were beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final and finished 15th in the 2024/25 Premier League.
The outlook is far more positive this season. Amorim’s side reach the midway point in sixth place, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, while Leeds head into the encounter in impressive form.
After a slow and difficult start that left them hovering near the relegation zone, Daniel Farke’s side have rediscovered their rhythm and are now unbeaten in six matches.
That run includes two draws against Liverpool and another against Sunderland, as well as home victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, giving Leeds real momentum heading into The Roses Derby.
Amorim must change formation vs Leeds
After playing a back four during United’s last few games, Amorim reverted to a back five in the first half of the Wolves tie, and the attacking threat clearly looked stifled.
United played well in part due to a back four, with Mason Mount’s presence in midfield giving flexibility. Still, even though the Englishman is set to miss the Leeds game on the weekend, the United boss must look to reshuffle his system to what was seen against Newcastle and Bournemouth.
Senne Lammens will start in goal, and it’s hard to imagine either of Ayden Heaven or Lisandro Martínez being dropped as the centre-backs, considering the partnership the duo have been forming.
Diogo Dalot is the club’s only first-choice right back available, as Noussair Mazraoui is at the Africa Cup of Nations, so he will likely start, and if a back four is played, Luke Shaw is the obvious candidate to start on the left.
As for the midfield, Amorim could play more of a classic 4-4-2 against Farke’s men, with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro starting in the middle of the park, as they are the only senior options.
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu was brilliant on the right wing against Newcastle and must be reinstated in the position, while Matheus Cunha could therefore act as a left-winger.
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Joshua Zirkzee scored against Wolves but was withdrawn at half-time due to tactical adjustments, but could keep his spot in the starting team and play alongside Benjamin Šeško as a striker duo. Zirkzee likes to drop deep when needed, which could provide United with an extra body in midfield.
Leeds are likely to heap pressure on United’s back line, especially in the opening stages of the game. Having Zirkzee and Šeško up front together, especially considering their respective heights and abilities in the air, could provide a much-needed outlet to bypass the press and get the ball up the field.
United predicted XI vs Leeds
Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Martínez, Shaw, Dorgu, Ugarte, Casemiro, Cunha, Šeško, Zirkzee.
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