Ruben Amorim identifies eight Manchester United stars crucial to his long-term plan

Ruben Amorim has not only spread his magic dust over the Manchester United squad but has also made it a point to address them publicly to boost their confidence.

Amorim could see, even before taking over at Old Trafford, that United's squad was massively underperforming. They won just four of their 14 games under Erik ten Hag before the Dutchman was sacked and Amorim knew the talent was there if he could get them to believe again.

He also knows the club cannot afford any major rebuilding work until the summer, so he will have to work with what he has for the rest of this season as he tries to crack the Champions League positions. But his public praise is clearly paying off with a string of stars performing well under the new manager.

Mirror Football looks at the eight stars who have won public praise from Amorim – and why they deserve the praise.

Marcus Rashford has been one of his biggest successes to date, with the former England striker scoring three goals in his two starts under the Portuguese after 18 months in the doldrums. Amorim believes there is still a lot more to get from the striker, who has scored 34 times for club and country in 2022/23, and said after his double against Everton: “He has to keep improving. He has the ability to do it and he has already proven that. He can play so much better, just like the other guys.”

Diallo was criminally underused by ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy saw the Ivorian's talent. He scored two goals and contributed an assist under van Nistelrooy and already has three assists to his name under Amorim. “He was very good defensively and very good offensively, and he has to keep playing like that,” Amorim said.

The Dutch forward was one of Amorim's most unexpected early successes and after coming off the bench to score on his debut against Fulham, he had gone down. He looked transformed against Everton as Amorim handed him his first league start since late September and responded with two goals. “Josh did a great job,” Amorim said. “He scored two goals, which is always important for confidence.”

It was clear that Amorim had to get his fellow Portuguese on board as captain and that was done. Fernandes has not scored a goal under Erik ten Hag, but has five and four assists in the seven games since the Dutchman's departure. Amorim said: “You feel he is the most experienced player.”

Hojlund looked lost this season due to injury and loss of form and even under Ruud van Nistelrooy he was well off the pace. Amorim started him against Bodo Glimt and he responded with two goals and an assist. “He's a quality player,” Amorim said. “I think he scores the most difficult goals.”

Amorim finds Mazraoui very important and loves his versatility. He played the full 90 minutes against Ipswich and Bodo Glimt and won the match after 56 minutes against Everton. “He is an incredible player, he is our future,” Amorim said. “He played in different positions and these types of players are what we need.”

Mount's time at Old Trafford has been blighted by injuries, but Amorim believes in him and started him against Bodo Glimt, as well as seeing him in action against Ipswich and Everton. Amorim knows he will need the playmaker this grueling season. “You see some moments and details where you can tell Mason is a real football player,” Amorim said. “We believe in him a lot and I especially believe in Mason a lot.”

Dalot is another player Amorim has high hopes for and he featured in all three matches under his compatriot, operating as a left back. Once again, Amorim likes his versatility and thinks he can be a big player for United. “He is a very good player, very powerful and can play on both sides,” Amorim said. “Nowadays a player who can play on both sides is perfect.”