Manchester United

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Former England winger Aaron Lennon believes incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will instill his preferred 3-4-3 system from the start of his tenure at Old Trafford.

Amorim favoured the three at the back formation throughout his time in Portugal but there has been concerns as to the suitability of a squad built for Erik ten Hag in changing styles.

"I was one of those old school type of wingers and I’d be more than comfortable playing as a wing back in a 3-4-3," Lennon told Planet Premier League.

"I do believe he'll play the likes of Luke Shaw, who is obviously back into training, and [Diogo] Dalot.

"I think he'll play full-backs in those positions and then utilise the three up top, whether it be [Bruno] Fernandes, [Alejandro] Garnacho, ]Marcus] Rashford, [rasmus] Hojlund, whichever he goes with.

"I think he'll go more solid, especially at the beginning."

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Alex Turk
Fan writer

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So, let's talk Pep Guardiola.

Ruben Amorim has naturally dominated the headlines regarding a manager in Manchester this week. But an anomalous spike momentarily diverted the discussion on Tuesday.

Manchester City's all-conquering boss is there to stay. At least for one more season after this one.

It is a little annoying, isn't it? But should Manchester United fans be bothered? I don't think so.

Arne Slot's almost flawless start at Liverpool has disappointed many an Old Trafford regular hoping for a post-Jurgen Klopp fall-off in the ilk of an all too familiar decline after the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

It has also served as a reminder that Guardiola leaving City does not automatically mean the same, although there would be an air of vulnerability at Etihad Stadium.

The painful truth is that City are an expertly run club - 115 charges pending - and that is why, despite Txiki Begiristain's impending exit, the Catalan coach is staying put.

So, with that in mind, United must focus on themselves. Amorim's arrival has sparked a wave of optimism and rightly so.

It has been a painful decade. City and Liverpool battling for the Premier League while United scrap for a European spot is now the norm.

So the most important thing is to back Amorim and Ineos' efforts in preparing to pounce when Guardiola eventually does call it quits.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

Sporting and Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande, 20, has spoken with Manchester United's Ruben Amorim about reuniting with his former manager at Old Trafford. (Metro), external

Agent Jorge Mendes is trying to secure a major move for 17-year-old Sporting and Portugal Under-21s winger Geovany Quenda, with Manchester United a possible destination. (Teamtalk), external

Rosenborg's Norwegian midfielder Sverre Nypan, 17, will not join Manchester United unless he is given assurances over first-team football. (Give Me Sport), external

Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is keen to stay in the Premier League amid potential managerial opportunities at Southampton, Wolves and Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

It has been a rollercoaster start to the season for Manchester United and their supporters.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's brief spell in the Old Trafford hot seat ended on a high before the international break and new boss Ruben Amorim is set to bring about change as he takes charge for the first time away to Ipswich Town on Sunday.

But what is the one thing - good or bad - that isn't being talked about in relation to United right now?

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Where will Ruben Amorim guide Manchester United to this season?

The Devils' Advocate team - including presenter Gaz Drinkwater - have had a think about the question.

Get the full episode on BBC Sounds

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At 39 years and 302 days, Ruben Amorim will become the youngest man to take charge of Manchester United since Wilf McGuinness in August 1969 (31years and 288 days).

Meanwhile, winger Alejandro Garnacho has been directly involved in 20 Premier League goals for United (13 goals, seven assists). The only other non-British player to reach that figure for the club before turning 21 was Cristiano Ronaldo (25 - 14 goals, 11 assists).

Manchester United face competition from Chelsea and Newcastle United for 17-year-old Sporting and Portugal winger Geovany Quenda. (Give Me Sport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Andros Townsend believes the foundations Erik ten Hag has left at Manchester United just need "minor tweaks" in order for Ruben Amorim to be successful.

The former Sporting Lisbon boss officially started his role at Old Trafford this week and his first game in charge will be against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

"I don't think he will fully be able to get his methodologies across because some of the players don't come back from international duty until late in the week," said Townsend on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "I also don’t think Erik ten Hag was that far from getting things right - in terms of on the pitch - so I don’t think it’s wholesale changes.

"There are times this season when I have watched them and they have almost been there in terms of their performance. They would play well and create chances but they didn't have Rasmus Hojlund fit or any other number nine to put those chances away.

"Ten Hag's philosophy was to press high but the likes of Garnacho have been injured and Mason Mount has hardly been available during his reign. He was unfortunate that he didn't have the players that he spent big money on available to implement his philosophy to the fullest.

"It is just minor tweaks, so it is not going to take a million years for him to get the team he wants and the way he wants to play.

"Amorin’s biggest problem from now until Christmas is going to be time on the training pitch."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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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.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says there has to be realistic expectations of what Ruben Amorim can achieve at Manchester United this season.

"I still think there needs to be massive patience for Amorin," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He needs a lot of time.

"In terms of expectations for this season - I don’t think they’re a team that is capable of finishing in a Champions League spot."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are interested in 26-year-old AC Milan and USA winger Christian Pulisic, along with Liverpool and West Ham. (Calciomercato), external

Ruben Amorim is set to operate on a more modest budget to former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, and will be tasked with maximising the untapped potential in the squad, as the club aims to end the damaging and costly cycle of mass overhauls. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

But Manchester United are also looking into a swap deal that would see their 23-year-old Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee join Napoli, with 25-year-old Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen moving in the opposite direction to Old Trafford. (Calcio Napoli), external

Manchester United and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen are also expected to part ways at the end of the season, with no negotiations currently taking place between the two parties for a new deal. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

A certain Peter Schmeichel celebrates his birthday on Monday.

The big goalkeeper turns 61 so we figured it was a good time to share one of his iconic moments.

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Ruben Amorim starts his Manchester United tenure with a trip to Ipswich Town on Saturday, but what can fans expect from the new United boss?

It has been a difficult start for United, who return to action from the international break 13th in the Premier League table on 15 points.

Amorim will have to turn things around fast if they are to recover this season and finish in the top six.

"I think there are going to be teething issues at first and this season will still be a bit of a struggle," said Joe McGrath on the The Devils' Advocate podcast. "That is based on what we have seen at Sporting Lisbon and how strong he is in his principles of how he wants to play the game.

"Hopefully, we can still do something in a cup, but I think we will finish sixth in the league. I expect towards the end of this campaign to see us start to click.

"I also expect there to be stars for this team that come out of nowhere but fit his style and formation. It might be players we have not rated in the past but step it up under him."

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath look ahead to Ruben Amorim's first game in charge.

Who will play in his expected 3-4-3 system?

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external

Manchester United have been told that Sporting may have "no option" but to sell 26-year-old Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, but it is unlikely to be in the January transfer window. (Mirror), external

United are also trying to secure a deal for Gyokeres' team-mate 17-year-old Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

There are no plans for Paul Pogba to train at Manchester United, following the 31-year-old French midfielder's departure from Juventus. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Ruben Amorim might "take time to settle in" at Old Trafford but highlights there is a lot of "privilege" and "pressure" associated with the job.

Moyes discussed his experience of taking charge of the Red Devils following the departure of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson on a special edition of BBC World Service's Sportsworld podcast.

"It is a huge privilege to be given the chance to manage Manchester United," Moyes said. "There are only a few people who ever get the opportunity to manage at that level.

"I haven't managed at Real Madrid but, for me, Manchester United is a club which has bigger support worldwide. Every newspaper in the world would have been covering this story, because there are so many Manchester United supporters worldwide.

"So it is an incredible job, but it is different as well. I have to say that it carries a lot of pressure and an awful lot of media coverage. They are always looking for things on Manchester United.

"It might take a little bit of time for him to settle in but, if he gets given the time by the board, his statistics and what he's doing at the moment shows up very well in Portugal."

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Manchester United have confirmed five members of Ruben Amorim's backroom staff, who all join the club from Sporting.

Carlos Fernandes will work as Amorim's assistant head coach, with Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro coming in as first-team coaches.

Jorge Vital takes up the role of first-team goalkeeper coach and Paulo Barreira arrives as physical performance coach.

They join first-team coaches Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson, and assistant first-team goalkeeper coach, who were all at the club under Erik ten Hag.

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Juventus are considering a move for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, with the future of their own forward Dusan Vlahovic uncertain. (CalcioMercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column