30 Oct 2024 10:01:52
I've been reading a bunch of articles and watching a bunch of videos talking about how utd will set up under Amorim.

Something I've noticed none of them mention much is how the 343 could effect some of the players who haven't played a big part for us recently.

I feel like the system could give Lindelof a big chance to rejuvenate himself. He's not likely to be taking a starting spot, but he could be an important rotation option in this system. Maguire I'm less confident about, but I could see him doing reasonably well too.

In midfield I feel Mount could do well in this system, although I would expect him to play second fiddle to Mainoo.

I think Amad should do well on the right of the front 3, although again, I'm expecting him to be behind Bruno, Garnacho and Rashford.

Antony is the main player who I see struggling to get into the lineup. Iirc he didn't like being asked to play left back, but maybe a switch to left wing back might be more agreeable to him? I think he might do well in that position if he's willing to try, and I certainly Don see any other way he is still here next season.

Any thoughts? Am I deluding myself (particularly about Lindelof and Antony)?

1.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 10:38:31
Thorne. I think every single player in the squad will benefit from eth leaving and a new system with the exception of Antony.
He will 100% leave at the earliest possible opportunity.
Maguire lindelof and Evans are likely departures too in the winter as all will be out of contract. We do have a 1 year option on maguire
Cas and erikson both likely to be sold the latter out of contract.
But I guess everybody else will be looking to secure a place in the team.
I'd say all options are open and some will fare better than others.
All fit amd available
Onana
Mdl yoro midge
Maz ugarte mainoo Shaw
Bruno rasmus garnacho
New cbs lwbs cms and striker required to bulk out the team and squad.
That's how I see it but it would depend on so many things.
Exciting times.

2.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 11:30:47
I'm just wondering whether Lindelof could suit this system well enough to earn a new contract and stay on as a backup.

I can't see us replacing Lindelof, Maguire AND Evans in the next two windows, especially when we will presumably be looking to replace Casemiro, as well as bringing in at least one left wing back and possibly a striker.

Shaw could perhaps play lcb as backup to Martinez, but that just leaves us needing an extra lwb instead of a cb.

3.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 12:10:04
I remember in 2022 there was a video of the players doing a basic passing drill very badly, it was edited with EtH's Ajax team doing the same drill effortlessly. The players he inherited were not suitable for a possession based passing game as you say. To compound issues the defence was build for low block counter attacking football not high line possession based football.

EtH's sacking is the culmination of 10 years of mismanagement by the exec team. The squad still bares the scars of this time, a hodge podge group built by numerous managers all with differing philosophies. Hopefully that time has ended and we now have a strong leadership team with a clear strategy.

I'm really excited by the Amorim appointment, also if you look at the summer acquisitions they all fit his system. He had quick success at Braga and Sporting and hopefully he can do he same here. Its going to be intriguing to see how he lines the team up. The back three picks itself when Yoro is back (Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro) . Midfield the same (Ugarte and Mainoo) . The Inside forwards and wing backs is where it gets interesting, does he go with a Mount + Bruno pairing for the inside forward roles and put wingers in the wingback positions or does he put Rashford and Garnacho inside forward and have Mazraoui and Shaw as the wingbacks.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Rashford leave in the summer, we need cash and he's our most expensive asset, also he's stalled and might need a move to freshen his career up

One player who is going to benefit massively is Rasmus Hojlund, he had the best conversion rate in the league last season and one thing is for sure Amorim's system creates A LOT of chances for his striker!

4.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 12:21:16
Maguire looks much better in a 3, just saying.

5.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 13:00:21
I think with all of Maguire, Lindelof and Evans out of contract next summer I could see one of them having their contract extended even to stay as back up.

Otherwise we will need to sign at least two new CB's next summer.

I think Maguire could actually really benefit from a switch to a back three system. Having an extra body to cover mitigates a lot of his weaknesses.

I don't even think the lack of pace or mobility would be a massive issue as Amorim made it work with Sebastian Coates in his back three, who was very slow.

I could see Shaw becoming more of a LCB under Amorim more than a LWB due to his to the very attacking nature he wants from his wingbacks. Lots of energy and ground coverage, but with a greater focus on attacking than defending.

I'm not sure if there are many CB's in the academy who are ready to step up and play on a semi-regular basis.

Keeping say Maguire for an extra year by activating the one year extension in his contract and using Shaw more as a LCB maybe we could get by with signing one CB next summer and then another the following year when Maguire's contract extension is up.

Either way I think the key position that we will need to recruit in for the first 11 is at LWB. Beyond that it's quality in depth at CB and CM that is needed.

Longer term we might need to look at the forward line, but options of Højlund, Zirkzee, Rashford, Garnacho, Amad, Bruno and Mount should give the new manager some flexibility and options in his front three.

While players like Obi-Martin, Wheatley, Lacey, Biancheri, Williams, Lusale and Mantato could all be moulded into first team players.

Amorim's record of giving youth a chance and helping them develop is excellent. So I'd expect to see one or two maybe get a few opportunities this season under him. Harry Amass looks the most likely/ obvious.

6.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 13:05:53
Thorne, saw a picture of Amorim and Lindelof playing together at Benfica. Amorim will want some players he knows and I guess, trusts. Lindelof may fall into that category depending on their previous relationship. This could be a second chance for him at the club although personally I’d move him on.

7.) 30 Oct 2024
30 Oct 2024 14:32:08
Shappy

I have watched some of their games even before the announcement. The left sided and right sided Cb's are the main advancers of the ball. It will be Martinez on the left and mentioned shaw also be also be ideal as both are excellent passers of the ball and defenders. Even a luke Shaw at reduced number of games will be valuable.

The right side is the difficult one to predict but maybe yoro. Dalot will play right wing back and not sure who can play there on the left. If shaw is healthy then its him or someone new.

Bruno, kobe and ugarte given he was a sporting player 18 months ago I would assume are sure things and then that leaves 2 from a group of 6 striker/ wingers who will play. I suspect its rash and hoiland.