What Ruben Amorim received proper and incorrect as Man Utd endure shock draw at Ipswich

Ruben Amorim failed to win in his first game as Manchester United manager as his squad were held to a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich.

Less than two minutes into Amorim’s first game as manager, United had the ball in the back of the net. Amad Diallo in his new wing-back position sprinted down the line towards the box. He put the ball right into the path of Marcus Rashford who was waiting to slot it past the Ipswich keeper.

Liam Delap should have scored just before the end of the first half. He went eye to eye with Andre Onana as the ball fell to the strikers feet. United’s keeper stood strong and saved the shot.

Three minutes later, Omari Hutchinson would score a cracking goal from the edge of the penalty box. A slight deflection off Noussair Mazraoui’s head sent it over Onana.

Marcus Rashford at centre forward

The new ideas that Amorim was bringing to United were clear from the team sheet. Not only had he brought his formation over from Sporting CP, he had also moved Rashford form his familiar left wing to a centre forward role.

It didn’t take long for the Portuguese manager’s plan to pay off as Rashford scored before the second minute mark after a Diallo cross into the box.

Fans and pundits have commented on the lack of confidence that the United graduate has had as of late. Scoring goals like this from these positions are only going to benefit the England international. The position move may pay dividends to Amorim throughout the season.

Understood Amad Diallo’s abilities

Amad Diallo was rarely able to fully show off his skills under Erik ten Hag. When given the moment, the Ivory Coast international often took it. Whether it was against Liverpool in the final minute of an FA Cup quarter-final, or a brace against PAOK in the Europa League, he clearly had the ability.

What makes a manager a great manager is having the eyes to spot potential, and that is exactly what Amorim did. He used Diallo to solve an issue United were facing.

With a heap of defensive injuries, playing his iconic three back was going to be difficult. Understanding the 22-year-olds pace and passing power, he put him at right-wing back. His defensive capabilities were also visible during the game.

Stuck with his formation

Although it was sure that Amorim would bring his successful three-at-the-back formation to Manchester, it was under threat due to injuries within the club. Key centre backs like Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were out.

This could have been seen as a nightmare situation for Amorim, but the Portuguese boss wasn’t going to budge and stuck to his guns. He knew what he was good at and he knew what worked having left his Sporting side with 11 wins from 11 with this shape.

Making some adjustments at the back, he moved Mazzraoui into centre back and Diallo into a new wing-back role for the young player. The formation also allowed Alejandro Garnacho the freedom to cut inside and Diogo Dalot to cover down the wing.

Lacked intensity

This has been a fault for United all season. Off the ball, the Red Devils are often seen sitting back and not pushing to get back possession.

After the early goal that Rashford tapped in, all their potency and ferocity went away. In a league as intense as the Premier League, a lapse of concentration can cost you big time. Although this is something the United players will know, the intensity of the Prem is often something new managers and players need getting used to.

It also might not help that the United players are having to learn a new system so quickly. Understanding where to be at the right time can cause a players eyes to wander, leading to a lack of pressure. Playing against the likes of Delap and Hutchinson, you can get punished as Amorim did.

Changed the dynamic mid-game

Bringing on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee together seemed like the first signs of panic for United’s new manager. Two strikers who often don’t play together due to both covering the same role, the new boss looked desperate to win.

The substitution, which took off Rashford and Christian Eriksen, was also a sign that Amorim was prepared to change the dynamic of his team mid game. Although this is an important part of being a coach, what credibility does it give to his three-back formation?

If that shape can’t do a lot of damage to a side in the relegation zone in 60 minutes, causing Amorim to bring on two strikers and change the dynamic, then the future of it can surely be questioned.