Jamie Carragher predicts how Man United will line up in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation… with a controversial selection at wing again

Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire playing together under Ruben Amorim, while putting forward a surprise candidate for the left-wing back role. 

The Red Devils are counting down the days until their new manager begins his duties at Old Trafford, following confirmation of his arrival last week. 

United supporters will have to wait until their clash against Ipswich at Portman Road on November 24 to see Amorim’s first starting line-up but until then there will be plenty of speculation on how his side could line-up. 

The Portuguese boss has almost exclusively deployed a back three in recent seasons and the expectation is that this preference will continue in Manchester. However, it raises questions over the suitability of the current roster and necessitates some stars will playing in unfamiliar positions. 

This includes the central defence, where Carragher believes Lisandro Martinez could flourish but he has concerns about the fit De Ligt and Maguire playing together. 

Jamie Carragher has predicted how Manchester United could line up under their new manager Ruben Amorim

The 39-year-old will begin duties as Red Devils boss on November 11, with his first game in charge on November 24

Carragher believes that Amorim’s system will make is difficult for Matthijs de Ligt (left) and Harry Maguire (right) to play together in the same team

‘I think it might suit Martinez in this position.’ The former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports. ‘I can’t see De Ligt or Maguire in the wide positions. They will not be able to cope – I don’t think they can play in the same back three. 

‘Yoro has come in as a young player, he’s a project for the club and I’m sure they’ll work with him, he can probably deal with the pace as well.’

On United’s prospective midfield Carragher added: ‘When I’ve seen Sporting play the two [central midfielders] don’t just sit here. They will push up and be really aggressive on the opposition’s players. 

‘It will be about energy there. How often do we see teams with three or four players in there? People talk about playing the box in there so it will be really interesting to see how they cope with that defensively. 

‘His out of possession set-up will be fascinating when he doesn’t have the best players or team in the league.’

The most surprising inclusion in Carragher’s predicted XI came at left wing back. The ex-defender picked a central defence consisting of De Light, Martinez and Yoro, a central midfield of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, and he placed Noussair Mazraoui at right wing back. 

Further forward, Rasmus Hojlund led Carragher’s hypothetical team just ahead of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in No 10 positions. That left a final, nominally defensive position to fill, and Carragher opted for Alejandro Garnacho, though he conceded that his selection could create issues when facing elite teams. 

Amorim’s preferred formation could see Alejandro Garnacho forced to play in one of the wing back positions 

Carragher predicted the lien-up Amorim will go with in his first game as Man United manager

‘When you look at his set-up at Sporting at times these players are asked to be really high, attacking and they’re going to have to be good in one-v-one [situations].’ He added. ‘But that’s when Man United are dominating the ball, maybe being at Old Trafford.

‘But when you look at the fixture list they’ve got Arsenal away early on and that will be very interesting. If you’re playing against [Bukayo] Saka and they’re dominating and they’re at home, on the front foot and Garnacho is getting asked to play as a left full-back. 

‘No, no, no.’ abruptly said former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.