Five Manchester United players who could be affected by Ruben Amorim’s appointment as next manager

Manchester United have appointed Ruben Amorim as the club’s new head coach – and he will be making plenty of changes at Old Trafford.

United will be hoping Amorim can turn his fortunes around as the club currently sit 14th in the Premier League table after a poor start to the season under Erik ten Hag.

His arrival will be welcomed by many United stars., although some of their players will be worried about their future at the club.

We look at five United players who will struggle under Amorim.

Casemiro

Despite signing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £50.8 million in the summer transfer window, Ten Hag showed great loyalty to Casemiro.

The Brazil international started eight of Ten Hag’s 14 games in 2024/25 and scored the final goal of his career in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United.

“He’s a great player,” Ten Hag said after Casemiro’s error-strewn performance against Liverpool. “We will continue to improve the team and players this season.

“He has improved and shown so often that he is a great character. He has won everything in his career. We all saw great moments from him and he was decisive in midfield. He will show it again and bounce back.”

But the 32-year-old could lose his place in the team under Amorim, who will look to play a high-intensity pressing game at Old Trafford.

Amorim’s central midfielders have to cover a lot of space and Casemiro’s lack of mobility has left him exposed in recent months.

The manager is likely to turn to Ugarta, who made 85 appearances under his two-year spell at Sporting and is known for his dynamic style.

Christian Eriksen

After playing a minor role for United in the 2023/24 season, Eriksen has regained his form in recent weeks.

The Denmark international has scored four goals and provided three assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.

While his technical skills and playmaking ability will appeal to Amorim, the 32-year-old may lack the energy and legs to work in his system.

Eriksen won just 46.1% of his tackle attempts in the Premier League last season and was dribbled past 21 times. He also managed just 0.3 interceptions per 90 league minutes in the 2023/24 season.

The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season. TEAMtalk understands that Amorim is unwilling to offer him an extension.

When Eriksen and Amorim were rivals…#UEL pic.twitter.com/dXx2GlLqmq

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 1, 2024

Mason Mount

Mount has endured a difficult start to his United career, making just 11 starts and 14 substitute appearances in all competitions over the last 15 months.

But even in good form, the England international struggled to establish a regular position under Ten Hag and was often left on the bench.

A reunion with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel or former England boss Gareth Southgate may have helped Mount regain his best form, but United have now appointed Amorim.

If the manager implements his favored 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford, the attacking player will be dropped from the United team and competition for places will intensify.

The 25-year-old will be competing for one of the two inside forward positions with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony.

Anthony

After working with Anthony at Ajax, Ten Hag brought the striker to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 in a deal initially worth £80.75 million.

He failed to justify the price tag and scored just 12 goals and five assists in 87 appearances for United, although Ten Hag continued to have faith in him.

“As for Anthony, I’ve supported him for a long time,” he said. “I know his ability, great ability, I know from the past that he is unstoppable, no defender can stop him because he is one of the fastest in the first 10 yards.

“When he plays this game, I’m sure he’ll perform. He’s tough, he’s got character, and he’ll fight back.”

Ten Hag’s departure means the Brazil international has lost a key ally at Old Trafford and will have fewer opportunities under Amorim.

The coach’s 3-4-3 formation does not suit traditional wingers and the width in this system is predominantly provided by the full-backs.

Reportedly, The 24-year-old has already been told he could leave in the January transfer window as Amorim has no plans to use him.

Joshua Zirkzee

Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford in the summer after United agreed to sign him from Serie A side Bologna in a deal worth £36.5 million.

The 23-year-old striker, who describes himself as a 9.5, caught Ten Hag’s eye with his impressive technical skills.

“He is a player who can bring the game together,” Ten Hag said. “Who can be available, hold the ball, have good ideas, be creative, can dribble, (make) combinations.

“So it’s a different type and we’re always looking for something that gives us more tactical options and that’s good because, especially in attack, we have a lot of players who can play very direct and can benefit a lot from his skills ” “

But he has endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 season, scoring just one goal and two assists in his first 14 appearances in all competitions.

Amorim prefers to play with a more traditional centre-forward who can stretch the defense with cuts from behind, making Rasmus Hoylund a more natural fit for his United team.

The manager could also try to sign Victor Giokeres from Sporting, which would push Zirkzee further down the pecking order.