Picking a starting XI for Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester United match

After all the hype and conjecture, when does the Ruben Amorim era begin in earnest Manchester United visit Ipswich Town today (kick-off 4.30pm GMT; 11.30am ET).

United’s new head coach takes charge of his first game in charge, and with the 39-year-old expected to implement the three-at-back system that became his signature at Portugal’s Sporting CP, his vision raises a host of selection dilemmas.

Who plays as United’s full backs? do it Marcus Rashford need to be deployed as a striker? And how do you fit into all three? Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Bruno Fernandes?

Here, The AthleticManchester United writers have scratched their heads, stroked their chins and decided how the would line up Amorim’s side for Sunday’s game at Portman Road.

“I believe so much in the way we play… there is no other way,” Amorim said on Friday in his first pre-match news conference as United head coach. So a 3-4-2-1 it is then, with some shoehorning of players into not their most natural positions.

I could have used Diogo Dalot as a full-back but by placing him to the right of the three centre-backs it lets more of United’s attractive talents into the team, such as Garnacho. He will provide the necessary height and width.

With Fernandes and Manuel Ugartetwo players familiar with Amorim’s principles, along the spine of the team, the head coach has key contacts to convey simple messages in an unfamiliar formation. With an eye on the future, Kobbie Mainoo and Ugarte’s partnership is essential to develop.

While there is an argument for Amad to start, Rashford could provide more off-the-ball runs, which could be the key to unlocking Ipswich. Amad would be a very strong replacement from the bench while Rasmus Höglund is the most naturally suited choice for center forward.

Charlotte Harpur

Amorim has said that the list of names on the team sheet may seem very similar but how United play will be different, and this XI could easily operate as a 4-2-3-1. However, given that he will use his back-three system from the start, the questions are about the wing-backs.

He could go defensive as a precaution, but Garnacho’s qualities can be mapped onto an attacking line-up from full-back. Garnacho may see such a switch as something of a demotion but should United have the majority of possession against Ipswich, his position would be high and wide. Dalot could function as a mobile right-sided centre-half.

Mainoo and Ugarte look like a neat partnership in this formation. Amad’s close technical ability makes him the choice alongside Fernandes, but this leaves a question of where Rashford will come.

He was on top in training this week – a solution? But Höglund certainly needs a series of starts. Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount will be interesting players for Amorim but all are working their way back to full fitness.

Laurie Whitwell

As this is about our preference rather than predicting what Amorim will do, I wasn’t sure about going with three at the back but this system is United’s future, so we might as well start as we mean to move on.

Victor Lindelöf is a debatable choice but I would trust him to defend wide spaces on the right side of the back three more than I would Jonny Evans. I’m not sure Noussair Mazraoui is full back, and even less sure he is left back, but he plays well and options are limited.

Garnacho has to stay further up the pitch and Fernandes has to play, meaning no start for either Amad or Rashford.

Mark Critchley

Amorim is here and that means it’s time for United fans and players to get used to a 3-4-3. Laurie has thankfully confirmed the Portuguese coach will bring his preferred formation but there are some square pegs at Old Trafford to be placed in round holes.

The wingbacks are chosen almost by default, and I have chosen Mainoo rather than Ugarte as Casemiros partner in central midfield as the Englishman is superior as both a ball carrier and passer. Höglund is United’s best central attacking option, so he makes the cut Joshua Zirkzee and Rashford up front.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim assignment of four games was marked by the burgeoning playing chemistry between Fernandes and Amad. Let’s build on that now.

Carl Duck