New Delhi: New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim recently took charge of his first training session with the Red Devils, having faced delays due to work permit issues. The former Portuguese international comes into the role of Manchester United head coach with huge expectations following his brilliant spell in charge of Sporting CP and looks to be a great choice to succeed Erik Ten Hag in the Manchester United hotseat.
Amorim is amongst a rare breed of managers, particularly when it comes to the Premier League, who like their teams to set up in a three at the back formation. The 39-year-old has attained all his success by deploying a 3-4-3 formation and looks set to continue with the same formation at the Old Trafford as well. Since the last manager to use a back three at Manchester United left the club close to a decade ago, Amorim would need to bring a few of his own personnel to help implement his playstyle.
🚨 Man United want to sign new left back for Amorim’s system in 2025, it’s already planned.
The club is already assessing options with more than 3 candidates in list.
It only remains to be seen whether it’s gonna happen in January or summer window (most likely). pic.twitter.com/M2ymz9KudF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 21, 2024
The full backs are the most important players while deploying any variation of a 3-4-3 formation and that has somewhat been a problem area for the club, particularly when it comes to the left flank. Manchester United have long been facing issues in their left-back department and it seems like Amorim has taken note of the same. Reports online suggest that the Portuguese manager is looking to bring a left-back to the club in 2025.
The club is reportedly looking at multiple targets but haven’t yet landed down at a particular top target yet. While both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can play on the left, they’re more suited at playing on the right and the club wants someone who can slot well into Amorim’s system. While it’s still not sure whether they will sign one in the January window or the 2025 summer window, it seems likely that the latter is a more realistic option.
Does this spell the end for Luke Shaw at Manchester United?
Manchester United made waves back in 2014 when they signed a high rated 19-year-old Luke Shaw from Southampton, making him the world’s most expensive teenager back then. Signed with a lot of potential, injuries hampered the Englishman’s progress over the years and the horrific injury he suffered against PSV in the 2015-16 season, almost all but halted his growth.
However, despite the setbacks, he has managed to keep himself in the plans at the club and has outlasted several managers during this time. There have been phases where the left-back seemed to have been getting back at top form but those never transitioned more from being phases. Since the beginning of last season, Shaw has suffered multiple injury issues which only saw him play 963 minutes of Premier League football in the 2023/24 season.
Luke Shaw has missed 264 games for Man United and England due to injuries in his 10 years at the club 🤕💔 pic.twitter.com/NxETra3C1A
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 14, 2024
He made only 15 appearances all season and only contributed to a single assist but was still selected to be a part of England’s UEFA Euro 2024 squad, which in hindsight delayed his return to full fitness. The full-back has now recently returned to team training and will have only a limited time to impress the new boss. Having not yet made a single appearance in the 2024/25 season, it might take sometime for Shaw to take the field this season.
While Shaw has shown that he can work in a back three system with England, it doesn’t seem like he fits the style of play Amorim wants to implement. There were reports circling in the summer that Manchester United were on the lookout for a new full-back with a few names being linked with the club. Even though, the move didn’t come to fruition in the summer, it seems like Manchester United are finally moving on from Luke Shaw in 2025.
Who can Ruben Amorim target at Manchester United?
Reports suggest that Manchester United have shortlisted a three-man list for their left-back targets but all of the names haven’t yet been revealed. The dream signing for the Manchester-based club is surely to be Bayern Munich’s contract rebel, Alphonso Davies. The Canadian winger turned left-back is the perfect fit for Amorim’s system but seems destined to land up at Real Madrid on a free transfer.
While Manchester United are definitely interested in the Canadian, they are sure to have back-up options as well in case the move for Davies doesn’t work out. Bournemouth’s Hungarian prodigy, Milos Kerkez, is another name that is appreciated by multiple clubs, including United while USA International Antonee Robinson is also one to keep an eye on given his solid performances for Fulham over the years.
New Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, is reportedly on the lookout for a new left-back come 2025 having identified the position which has been somewhat of a problem area for the club recently. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
