Rúben Amorim must hand “unplayable” Manchester United starlet debut vs Ipswich after Everton gamble failed

Rúben Amorim must look at handing a debut to another Manchester United starlet after his gamble against Everton failed to produce.

Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United are still searching for their first Premier League win of the month and will look to end that run when they host Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

United’s last league outing resulted in a 2-2 draw at Everton, with second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte salvaging a point after another sluggish start.

Slow beginnings have been a recurring issue, with Amorim’s side often forced to fight back from losing positions.

Having kept just two clean sheets across all competitions this season, defensive frailties remain a concern. However, against an Ipswich side battling relegation, United will aim for a more controlled performance and a long-awaited league victory.

Amorim’s gamble vs Everton failed

As has become apparent in recent months at United, the two players in the middle of the park within Amorim’s system often consist of a defensive midfielder and a more progressive player.

In recent weeks, this has generally been a combination of Ugarte and Fernandes, although Amorim chose to take a gamble and played Ugarte with Casemiro in the middle to try and sure up the defensive line.

However, this chance failed, with United still looking sloppy at the back and conceding two goals through failing to clear balls when needed – and in a more general sense, it feels as if the club’s defensive issues will not improve until new centre-backs are available.

United looked much better against Everton once Casemiro was swapped out for Garnacho and Fernandes dropped into a deeper role to dictate the game, with United scoring twice once the change was made.

Amorim could hand a new debut vs Ipswich

With United’s midfield options still thin, as Toby Collyer and Kobbie Mainoo are not expected to return from injury until next month, Amorim should look to his Academy reserves to fill the gap.

Casemiro and Ugarte should not start together again as it feels like it wastes a selection opportunity for not much extra benefit, and this could provide the perfect chance for Amorim to hand another debut.

There are reports that Amorim’s coaches are “losing patience” with striker Rasmus Højlund, leading some to think he may be dropped for the upcoming tie and replaced up front by Joshua Zirkzee. The lack of other options means Fernandes and Garnacho would then make up the other two attacking positions.

If Ugarte and Casemiro should not start together again, this provides the opportunity for Amorim to select 19-year-old Sekou Kone in midfield.

Kone is a fairly progressive midfielder who can defend well but is always looking to play the ball forward and was “unplayable” in a recent U21s win over Tottenham, which suits Amorim’s needs in the middle of the park.

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Amorim is keen to protect his young players, meaning a start for Kone remains unlikely, but there is certainly the chance he can come on as a substitute.

If Højlund was to start and is substituted, this may allow Fernandes to step further forward and leave space for Kone to come on for his debut in the second half.

Reports suggest that Amorim wants to hand Kone his debut before the end of this season and already “trusts” the Malian player. On paper, the tie against Ipswich is one of the easiest left this season at Old Trafford in the Premier League, and could be his perfect chance to deliver this.

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