Amorim clip offers food for thought

Manchester United officials are refusing to say who authorised using the precise footage released in a near seven-minute video edit of the first training session under new head coach Ruben Amorim, but there was one element that was particularly well chosen.

Firstly, the nuts and bolts - with the caveat numerous international players are still to return, so trying to work out who will start at Ipswich on Sunday is fraught with hazards, other than the obvious conclusion those involved have more time to work with Amorim and the "new idea" he has promised at Portman Road.

New signing Leny Yoro and England duo Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo were all involved after recent injuries.

Shaw has not featured for United since February, Mainoo's last game was at Aston Villa on 6 October and Yoro is still to make his debut since his £52m move from Lille in the summer.

Secondly, Yoro and Shaw were on the right and left sides of Amorim's preferred back three. Jonny Evans was in the middle, Tyrell Malacia at left wing back and Antony on the right. The personnel might change but expect that to be how United set up at the weekend.

I am pretty sure Amorim will have singled out more than just Mainoo for a specific chat about positioning but that was the one released, as the former Sporting boss explained the movements and positioning he wants from the midfielder.

And then there was the running. Four times, United's first-team were shown chasing back after Amorim had given the signal for a lost ball and a counter attack.

Whoever decided to use that material has been thinking hard.

United have been repeatedly criticised for their lack of work rate and poor tracking back in transitions.

Someone at Old Trafford wants us to know Amorim is trying to address it.