Ruben Amorim, lately appointed as the brand new supervisor of Manchester United, is already centered on strengthening the group’s protection. Scheduled to formally take cost following the worldwide break, Amorim’s first match with United can be towards Ipswich City on November 24. As he gears up for his new position, Amorim has reportedly recognized Andreas Christensen, the previous Chelsea defender now with Barcelona, as his “precedence” goal for the January switch window.
In accordance with El Nacional, the Portuguese boss views Christensen as a vital addition to Manchester United’s defensive lineup, hoping to treatment the group’s ongoing struggles this season. Described as a “key piece” by Amorim, the 28-year-old Danish worldwide would deliver the “solidarity” and “expertise” United’s backline wants. Whereas Amorim’s present plans are to assist Sporting Lisbon end their run within the UEFA Champions League, he’s already strategizing for his begin with United, the place he plans to implement his most popular 3-4-3 formation. Christensen’s inclusion might make this setup possible, because the 39-year-old reportedly sees the defender as a perfect match for the system.
Christensen, who joined Barcelona on a free switch in 2022 after almost a decade at Chelsea, has solely made one look this season as a result of an Achilles damage. With Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia nearing returns from their very own accidents, Christensen might battle to safe common minutes beneath new supervisor Hansi Flick, who has began to favor younger abilities like Pau Cubarsi alongside established gamers akin to Inigo Martinez. Barcelona’s well-documented monetary struggles might additional encourage a sale, because the membership must unlock funds for future transfers.
Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, reportedly views United’s preliminary $16.4 million bid as an interesting supply, doubtlessly permitting Barcelona the pliability to make reinforcements elsewhere. “It represents an excellent alternative for Barcelona in financial phrases,” the report said, “whereas giving them the pliability to contemplate new additions”. For Amorim, this could possibly be a good state of affairs to safe a dependable defender able to fortifying Manchester United’s backline.
Constructing protection round 3-4-3 formation
An indicator of Amorim’s teaching success at Sporting has been his efficient use of a 3-4-3 formation, which emphasizes each defensive solidity and dynamic transitions. This setup helped him safe two Primeira Liga titles in 4 years with Sporting, and he reportedly hopes to duplicate this technique at Outdated Trafford. Nevertheless, the present United squad might lack the defensive depth wanted to execute his imaginative and prescient, pushing Amorim to prioritize skilled defenders like Christensen.
It’s understood that Amorim believes Christensen, together with different potential additions akin to Matthijs de Ligt or Leny Yoro, could be well-suited for the 3-4-3 formation. With Lisandro Martinez additionally anticipated to play a central position, United’s backline might develop right into a cohesive unit able to managing Premier League and European challenges. Even Harry Maguire, who has beforehand thrived in a three-man protection for England, might discover new alternatives beneath Amorim’s system. Nevertheless, the long run seems much less sure for Victor Lindelöf, whose contract expires on the finish of the season. United might take into account permitting him to go away in January if Christensen is introduced in instead.
Potential double defensive signing
Along with Christensen, Amorim reportedly has eyes on a number of different Sporting Lisbon gamers to additional bolster Manchester United’s squad. El Nacional reviews that he might purpose to herald as much as 4 Sporting gamers, together with highly-regarded center-back duo Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande. Such signings would align with Amorim’s imaginative and prescient of making a flexible and defensively robust lineup able to adapting to numerous Premier League and European fixtures.
Amorim’s defensive technique would additionally function a direct response to United’s current struggles. Former supervisor Erik ten Hag was let go following one of many membership’s worst begins to a season, with United hovering close to the underside half of the league desk. Now, with Amorim’s arrival, followers and analysts alike hope the membership can lastly stabilize beneath a coach identified for his defensive acumen and tactical innovation.
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