The real countdown to Ruben Amorim's first Manchester United test has begun as the 39-year-old prepares for his Premier League debut at the helm against Ipswich on Sunday.
For Amorim, this is a moment that has lurked painfully in the background since he was confirmed as Erik ten Hag's successor, and there has been a lot of fuss about his arrival ever since.
The former Sporting Clube de Portugal boss arrives in England's top flight well-regarded and with good reason as he is tasked with breaking through the chaos that has overseen United's worst start to a Premier League season.
Much has been made of Amorim's sensational performances in Lisbon, where he ended the club's almost two-decade wait to become league champions and started the season as the only manager in Europe's top divisions with a record of 100 percent profit.
A 4-1 defeat in the Champions League to United's rivals Man City only increased the excitement among supporters and now the time has almost come to judge whether Amorim lives up to the hype.
Together with the five assistants the former midfielder brought with him to England, Amorim has devised a much-discussed 3-4-3 formation that breaks the mold when judging other competing clubs.
The system focuses on three centre-backs, flanked by two full-backs – who also push into midfield – with two holding midfielders and a three-pronged attack dishing out chances and goals.
United has had serious difficulty with the latter this season. When it comes to goals, the Red Devils find themselves in unwanted company.
United only managed to find the net twelve times in eleven games this season, with only Everton (ten), Crystal Palace (eight) and Southampton (seven) scoring fewer goals.
Amorim has already raised expectations by guaranteeing that somber United supporters will see 'an idea, a positioning and something we want to achieve', but does he have the personnel to repeat the success he celebrated in Portugal?
The few training sessions he has overseen at United's Carrington training complex have been based on instilling his virtues, playing style and of course the preferred system to deploy.
His training methods have already been well received, with both Marcus Rashford and Casemiro publicly praising the sessions led by Amorim and now the head coach faces the difficult choice of naming his first United matchday squad, with Mail Sport assessing the statistically best performing players. so far this season.
Fortunately, Amorim has been given a boost by being able to choose from an almost fully fit selection for his opening match in the United dugout – something Ten Hag rarely had.
Teenage sensation Leny Yoro could make his long-awaited debut after successfully recovering from surgery, while other notable long-term absentees Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount have all taken part in recent training.
In his defense, Amorim is spoiled for choice. His three-man formation depends on each defender feeling comfortable in possession and also being able to pop up in midfield on occasion.
A back three of Lisandro Martinez, Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt is the obvious choice, but it may not be the best as others have performed better in United's defense so far this season.
Veteran centre-back Jonny Evans has been involved more often than he might have expected this season, making ten appearances in all competitions, but he has been one of the more solid players with a Sofa rating of 6.84.
Meanwhile, Harry Maguire is United's leading defender with a rating of 7.08, although he has played fewer games due to an injury he previously suffered in a goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Argentine stalwart Martinez (6.95) is expected to star in Amorim's first team and his ball-playing ability and fierce defensive style will appeal to United's new boss.
At full-back, Diogo Dalot (7.09) has often been substituted out of position at left-back and could start on the left of the United defense despite the return of long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, complicating Amorim's choice.
Affordable summer signing Noussair Mazraou (7.19) – who arrived for just £12million – has starred in both defense and attack in his debut season at the club and it would be a surprise if he were to drop out for the visit Portman Rd.
For them, Amorim must be ruthless in choosing his midfield duo, with the pair having influence in quickly turning over possession and quickly shifting the ball to attackers in front of them.
Manuel Ugarte has already been praised by Amorim after the pair previously shared success together at Sporting before the Uruguayan moved to Paris Saint-Germain, but is still establishing himself in the Premier League.
England international Mainoo will be hoping for his first start since returning from injury, while Mount will also be desperate to please, but the stats show the experienced Casemiro (7.38) and Christian Eriksen (7.34) are the top performers in the engine room . .
The pair continued to start during Ten Hag's last few games in charge, but it would be a huge surprise to see them given a run out against Ipswich without having the youthful edge needed to match to the intense press that Amorim demands.
There are further tough decisions to be made in attack, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Antony all vying for a starting role.
Garnacho (7.12) and Fernandes (7.60) are perhaps the most popular stars among United supporters after being the main source of goals this season – with Fernandes tipped to play in a false nine role – leaving just one another position was up for grabs.
Rashford is the most obvious choice, especially as he has worked with Amorim for an extended period after failing to earn a call-up during the international break, but if United's new head coach is anything to go by the data, then Diallo (7.13) is a better option. on the right.
The 22-year-old started the season strongly and has one Premier League goal to his name, but was subsequently demoted to the bench by Ten Hag, dividing opinions among supporters.
Diallo has taken advantage of Ruud Van Nistelrooy's interim spell and will knock on Amorim's door demanding he start against Ipswich, although he will undoubtedly not be the only one.
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