How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change and new-look starting XI

RUBEN AMORIM can not only solve Marcus Rashford's form problems but also make him one of the Premier League's best again.

Yet Rashford must first adopt a new 3-4-3 philosophy, accept a subtle positional change and give up his love of the left wing.

With many United players spending time on international duty, including Rasmus Hojlund, Rashford would be wise to make use of the extra time spent on the training pitch with new boss Amorim.

The 27-year-old has had a turbulent few years after bursting onto the scene in 2016 and failing to reach the heights of his 2022/23 season, which saw him score 30 goals in all competitions.

Amorim, 39, is tasked with bringing back Rashford's magical touch, with the forward scoring just once in 12 Prem games this season.

But with Jose Mourinho's confidence and Pep Guardiola's flair, how will the new manager get the best out of Rashford?

The resurrection of Marcus Rashford

A player of Rashford's quality should not be written off, but the United Academy star must open his mind to a 3-4-3 formation.

Rashford must let go of his hopes of hanging around on the left as Amorim will NOT use two real wingers but will instead play with an attacking left-back.

Amorim looks set to build two so-called No 10s with different profiles – and Rashford should become one alongside captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes' talents will see him take on the No. 10 role, leaving Rashford as the floating central player, running off the No. 9 spot.

Meanwhile, Rashford could also be reinvented as a central striker with two close 10s to support him, but Hojlund is more likely to thrive in this role.

The England star is used to playing in a 4-3-2-1 formation or as a striker on the counter-attack, so things will have to change.

But if Rashford steps in early and focuses on assists rather than goals, United will have a Carrington graduate playing an important role in the club's future.

Amorim's 3-4-3 formation

Amorim has a clear identity. And it seems almost certain that the Portuguese tactician will bring his winning 3-4-3 structure to M16.

He likes his teams to play through the third half and dominate possession when they move the ball out from the back.

Hojlund, a player United have not made the most of, will likely be deployed in the ninth spot.

At Sporting, the formation and style are built around a mobile, big, physical runner Viktor Gyokeres – and Hojlund can take on that role.

Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte all play their respective roles.

And Leny Yoro, a £52million summer signing, has been seen training on the right side of the back three in training clips this week.

What is more consistent is that in his 3-4-3 formation, attacking full-backs are key in all thirds of the pitch.

Amorim has used two defensive midfielders to cover his wing-backs, standing high up the pitch and staying wide to the flank to form a 3-4-2-1.

This also allows his two attacking midfielders to get into the pockets behind a single striker, while still stretching the opponent's backline.

Wing and a prayer

Amorim positions his full-backs precisely in the attacking areas of the pitch, giving them complete freedom in the flanks.

It will be a 3-2-5 in attack, with the full-backs expected to move up in different profiles.

Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and even Antony could be placed in a full-back role as all three have the ability to take on their man in a 1v1.

Amorim likes his teams to play through the third half and dominate possession when they move the ball out from the back.

For the non-nicknamed running full-backs, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can turn to play in the inside channel in attack.

Andre Onana's game

Erik ten Hag bought Andre Onana for £43.7 million based on his ability to play at the back, but the Dutchman could not find a way to utilize David de Gea's replacement.

Onana will be asked to play in the feet of midfield, who will be expected to receive the ball in the half turn and push upfield.

There were no long balls to be seen in training this week.

It looks like the fielders will be limited to just two touches before passing them in a zigzag if they can't turn, until a channel of space opens up.

Mainoo chieftain

Kobbie Mainoo has the ability to be United's main ball-playing central midfielder.

Now that the Red Devils want to start from defense, Mainoo's role as a playmaker has become even more important.

Just 18 months after his first defeat to Charlton Athletic in the League Cup, he started in the Euro 2024 final. The 19-year-old has the ability to dip his shoulder.

Mainoo fits nicely alongside the action-packed Manuel Ugarte, who prefers to break up the game.

Ugarte will be well aware of the system Amorim used, having made 85 appearances under the Portuguese coach in Lisbon, where he started 61 games.

Amorim appears to have taken immediate notice of Mainoo during his week's training, with the pair spotted chatting several times.

But all players are expected to get up and down quickly and have to do their utmost to get back, which has not been seen in United games of late.

But the amount of sprinting required could spell the end for Casemiro, who at the age of 32 appears to have lost his legs.

Nevertheless, the Real Madrid legend has stepped up his role in the dressing room over the past week.