The Ruben Amorim era kicks off at Manchester United this weekend when he takes the Red Devils to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town (November 24). It will be the Portuguese coach's first game in charge after replacing Erik ten Hag before the recent international break.
Amorim has a huge challenge on his hands trying to revitalise a United side who were in dire straits under Ten Hag. Four wins and as many defeats in 11 games means it's the club's worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign and they sit 13th in the league.
One of the first decisions Amorim had to make was to decide whether to keep Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford. The iconic Dutchman served as caretaker manager after Ten Hag's sacking but his permanent replacement opted to overhaul the entire coaching staff. It means it will be a completely new Red Devils backroom team who oversee the clash with Ipswich.
Manchester United vs. Ipswich Preview
The stage is set for Amorim to kickstart his Manchester United reign with a win away at Ipswich. He spoke about fans seeing an idea in this game which suggests he might be planning to immediately implement his trusted 3-4-3 formation.
The Reds were in good form under Van Nistelrooy as he handed over coaching duties to Amorim. A 3-0 win against Leicester City and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea aswell as victories in cup competitions mean the club are unbeaten since Ten Hag's dismissal.
Ipswich are next up and it will be a reunion with Kieran McKenna who faces United for the first time as an opposing manager. He heroically guided the Tractor Boys to two consecutive promotions and his men are 17th at the moment after a shock 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.
Manchester United Expected XI vs. Ipswich
Predicted Manchester United XI: Andre Onana; Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez; Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Diogo Dalot; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford
Amorim's team selection will be interesting and he has good and bad news regarding players fit to face Ipswich. Kobbie Mainoo returned to training after a spell on the sidelines and his new coach was spotted going over individual tactics with the English wonderkid.
The 3-4-3 formation means Amorim will need to decide on a back three, and Leny Yoro has also been back in training. The French teenager is in contention to make his debut but is unlikely to do so from the start. Lisandro Martinez withdrew from international duty with Argentina, and there's no word on the extent of a reported hip problem.
If Martinez is fit he'll expect to start alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans in the back three. The in-form Noussair Mazraoui will likely take up the right wing-back position while Diogo Dalot could be on the left but he might be playing for his future amid a disappointing season.`
This is especially because Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, United's other left-back options, are back in training. They could be in contention to at least get minutes against Ipswich having trained with the Red Devils this week.
Mainoo should partner Manuel Ugarte in midfield and the Uruguayan defensive midfielder is back playing under his former Sporting CP manager. He's been representing his country and bagged a dramatic late winner in a 3-2 2026 World Cup qualifying win over Colombia.
Amorim's front three is difficult to call because he's yet to have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in training. Marcus Rashford could be deployed as the main forward and this might be last chance saloon for the English attacker.
Rashford should be partnered in attack by Bruno Fernandes who has bounced back into form post-Ten Hag. Amad Diallo feels the likely other attacker to accompany them given his scintillating display in a 2-0 win against PAOK in the Europa League earlier this month.
Manchester United vs. Ipswich Prediction
Manchester United should kick off Amorim's reign with a statement-making win over Ipswich although we expect the hosts to get on the scoresheet. This feels like the perfect game for Rashford to come to the fore and once again enjoy a purple patch under a new coach.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Ipswich
Where to watch and match details
Match Information: Ipswich Town vs Manchester United
Location: Portman Road
When: 22/11/2024
Kick-Off: 20:00 GMT
TV: (UK) Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports (US) USA Network