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Ruben Amorim’s 'perfect XI' named by Man United icon as Marcus Rashford gets new position
by Kasra Moradi · Manchester Evening NewsManchester United legend Wes Brown has shared who he thinks should make Ruben Amorim’s perfect starting XI.
Amorim led his first training session as Red Devils manager at Carrington on Monday. Having arrived from Sporting CP last week, the Portuguese manager got a chance to observe some of his players up close for the first time, though several of them were absent due to international duty.
The 39-year-old, who succeeds Erik ten Hag, is expected to quickly instil the same coaching philosophy that won him two Primeira Liga titles at Sporting CP ahead of his first match in charge against Ipswich Town on Sunday. Amorim played a 3-4-3 formation at Sporting and will overhaul Ten Hag's approach in order to introduce his own tactics to the squad.
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With his specific set-up in mind, former United defender Brown offered his thoughts on the ideal line-up when all players are available. In a conversation with Bedste Online Casino, he named Rasmus Hojlund as the starting striker over Joshua Zirkzee and proposed an entirely new role for Marcus Rashford, playing just behind Hojlund.
Brown's suggested XI was as follows: Andre Onana; Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez; Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Noussair Mazraoui; Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.
The five-time Premier League champion explained: "With everyone fit, I'd like to see a back three of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in front of Andre Onana. I'd like to see Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in the middle with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui as wing-backs.
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“Then Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford in behind Rasmus Hojlund. That team has plenty of creativity as well as pace at the back, but I’m sure everyone under Amorim will get a chance to impress.”
Rashford's position has primarily been off the left flank in recent seasons with mixed results, but within Amorim's system, which favours wing-backs over traditional wingers, he could face a positional shift. Having first broken into the United squad as a striker in 2016, Brown's suggestion would require the forward to adapt once more.
During Amorim's first training session, the squad was divided into two teams. The 'A team' was organised into a 3-4-3 formation, featuring Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans, and Luke Shaw in defence. Ahead of them were Antony, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Tyrell Malacia, with Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount as the three most attacking players.
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