Amad starts, Mainoo returns - What Ruben Amorim's first Man United matchday squad may look like

Less than a fortnight now stands between Ruben Amorim and his first game as Manchester United head coach.

The 39-year-old arrived in England on Monday afternoon and was chauffeur-driven from Manchester Airport to the club's Carrington training base to be greeted by Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox.

He was given a tour of his new base and introduced to members of staff. Unfortunately for him, he cannot officially start work until he has obtained a work permit.

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However, he is not expected to be waiting long for that, meaning he should be able to get outside and on the grass in the not too distant future. He will then start laying the foundations for his first game in charge against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on November 24.

However, Amorim is poised to meet members of his squad in stages, with several of them having jetted off to different corners of the globe for international commitments over this current pause. It means he may not work with every member of his squad until possibly 48 hours before his United bow.

Nevertheless, the Portuguese chief is likely to soon have a vision in his mind for his first United starting line-up and substitutes bench. Amorim is expected to immediately deploy a 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford, meaning United are set to have a very different look about themselves.

However, Amorim has walked into a club that is not without its fair share of injuries. Several names remain inscribed on the injury list and it remains to be seen if any of them will be in contention for the trip to Ipswich.

Nevertheless, Andre Onana is poised to start Amorim's first game in charge between the posts and maintain his record of starting every Premier League game since joining the club. He has kept five clean sheets in the Premier League so far this term.

As far as the expected back-three is concerned, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are likely to be guaranteed starters for the former Sporting Lisbon boss. They have, in the main, been United's first-choice centre-back paring so far this season, and it is anticipated they will retain their places under the new boss.

With the aforementioned duo occupying two of the three centre-back berths, Leny Yoro, eventually, is expected to claim the final spot. However, he has been sidelined since July with a fractured metatarsal and it is highly unlikely United will throw him straight into the XI for the trip to Ipswich should he be declared fit. United have always maintained that his comeback will not be rushed.

With that in mind, Harry Maguire, whose injury has not been as serious, could be an option to start if he is passed fit to be involved. Failing that, Jonny Evans or Victor Lindelof could start.

The wing-back roles are likely to be claimed by Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, respectively, with the former starting on the right and the latter on the left. They have been United's chief full-backs so far this season and deserve to keep their places in a new-look system.

It is in midfield where the biggest element of intrigue is expected. A 3-4-3 formation means there is only room for two natural central-midfielders, opposed to the three United have become so accustomed to utilising in a 4-3-3 shape. Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro started each of Ruud van Nistelrooy's first four games in charge and could keep their places if Kobbie Mainoo fails to recover from injury or is only deemed fit enough to make the bench.

The prospect of Amorim deploying an all-South American midfield duo means Bruno Fernandes may be forced into a wide role, meaning one of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad risks being axed from the starting XI. Based on current form, Amad is most worthy of keeping his place.

Rasmus Hojlund is expected to start and be tasked with leading the line. Getting him firing has to be a leading task for Amorim.

As far as the substitutes bench is concerned, Amorim, hopefully, will not be in a position where he needs to select two goalkeepers, with Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton both making the bench against Leicester City on Sunday. In the event of him returning from injury, Maguire should be included in the matchday squad, likewise fellow centre-back Lindelof.

To offer a sense of cover in the wide areas, Amorim could turn to Harry Amass, who many believe could be a long-term option for the new United boss at left wing-back. Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount are also worthy of spots on the bench, but one of them risks being forced out if Mainoo is fit enough to be involved.

Attacking cover can be provided by Joshua Zirkzee, Garnacho and Rashford. Garnacho, however, will believe he is worthy of a start after scoring via the bench against Leicester.

Possible 20-man squad to face Ipswich:

Starting XI: Onana; De Ligt, Evans, Martinez; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Mazraoui; Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Maguire (if fit), Lindelof, Amass, Eriksen, Mainoo (if fit), Garnacho, Rashford, Zirkzee.