Three Man United players could have position changes under Ruben Amorim, including fan-favourite

There are three Manchester United players who could have position changes at Old Trafford under new manager Ruben Amorim.

Ruben Amorim is expected to be announced as the new Manchester United manager in the coming days following an agreement with the manager and his club, Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese coach will take over from Erik ten Hag, who was sacked after an underwhelming start to the season.

Currently, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in charge as interim boss and Amorim will likely take over when the November international break comes around.

The 39-year-old has become well-known for his 3-4-3 formation at Sporting and will almost certainly look to implement that system at Old Trafford.

With clear differences to Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1, there is a chance that some players in the United squad have their roles in the team adjusted.

UtdDistrict look at three players in particular who could see their position changed under Amorim in his new set-up.

Joshua Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee has had a tough start to life at United since his summer move from Bologna and Amorim’s introduction will bring mixed feelings for the Dutch international.

The 23-year-old’s profile is far from what is desired as the lone centre-forward in an Amorim system, with Rasmus Højlund much more suited to how the manager wants his striker to operate.

Thankfully, Zirkzee has previously described himself as a ‘9.5’ and that may help him fit into a new role in the system under the new management.

Amorim’s team plays with two players in behind the striker who are neither wingers or no.10s, they often occupy the half-spaces and are tasked with aiding the striker and creating danger from those positions.

While Zirkzee may not fit the ideal profile perfectly, his skillset seems like it would suit this position more than up front, and so we could see him start to operate here under Amorim.

Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho has become a fan-favourite under Ten Hag and currently has 11 direct goal contributions this season.

Right now, he is the most prolific United forward but some may be surprised to read that he could become a left wingback under the new manager.

But it makes more sense when you look at Amorim’s teams. The front three are quite narrow, whereas Garnacho excels when he is on the touchline.

In possession, the wingbacks in Amorim’s side are extremely high and wide to stretch the pitch, almost acting as wingers.

Geny Catamo, one of the current wingbacks in Amorim’s system, is naturally a winger and still manages to consistently get in advanced positions.

When you add that Garnacho already has a strong defensive workrate, it seems like this role would suit him more than playing in the front three, who will be operating in the congested central spaces.

Antony

Finally, should Antony stay at United, it seems like he would have to adjust his positioning as well. There are several rumours that the Brazilian will depart the club.

Yet, similarly to Garnacho, the 24-year-old would not suit playing in those central zones as much and his output has also been a big problem since moving to Old Trafford.

There have previously been–half-jokingly–claims that Antony should be used at left-back during United’s injury crisis. He came on in the position on two or three occasions previously.

With there not being many options to play on that left wing-back, it may be something that Amorim tests out to see if Antony has a future at the club.

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