Leny Yoro call, Marcus Rashford change - Ruben Amorim could spring five Manchester United surprises

Ruben Amorim's much anticipated first game in charge of Manchester United is a little under 72 hours away as excitement continues to build for the new era.

Amorim has built an impressive coaching reputation in Portugal and there is a buzz around United as the 39-year-old prepares to lead the team out for the first time this weekend. United visit Ipswich Town in the Premier League before an Old Trafford Europa League contest against Bodo/Glimt next week.

United are expected to deploy a 3-4-3 system under Amorim, who has enjoyed huge success with that shape in his homeland. It will see several changes in set-up and we take a look at five surprise selections Amorim could spring.

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Yoro debut

The prospect of seeing Leny Yoro make his competitive bow for United in Amorim's first game at the helm is exciting. The Frenchman, 19, was United's most eye-catching signing of the summer and club officials have high hopes he can become a star at Old Trafford.

After fracturing his metatarsal in July, Yoro has had a long road back to full fitness, but he is understood to be in contention to make his highly anticipated debut within the next week. Amorim's 3-4-3 system offers room for three centre-backs and Yoro is expected to become an undroppable figure in the Portuguese chief's plans.

If he is considered fit enough to start after so long on the sidelines, the sight of his name on the teamsheet ahead of kick-off will only increase the excitement levels among supporters.

Mount starts

Something of a forgotten man, the former Chelsea midfielder could be tailor-made for one of the two No.10s in Amorim's set-up. He played a similar role at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel in the season the Blues won the Champions League. Mount will hope to catch the eye of his current and former manager as he plots a selection path for club and country.

The 25-year-old is fit after an injury hit start to the campaign and is back in full training and already impressing Amorim. Footage from training this week showed Mount in the advanced position and Amorim responding well to the England international's showing. While the mitigation is the absence of several players away on international duty and the video being only a snapshot of a session, Mount seems certain to be in the squad on Sunday and find his way into the team.

Garnacho benched

Alejandro Garnacho has been something of a shining light for United this season despite not always being in the team.

The Argentina international is the top scorer in all competitions with seven goals but was among the subs in Ruud van Nistelrooy's final match in interim charge and could find himself there again at Ipswich. It remains to be seen how Amorim will view the wing-backs in his favoured set-up and whether his preference is to field attack-minded defenders such as Diogo Dalot, or convert wide forwards like Garnacho.

The 20-year-old could also thrive in one of the two No.10 roles behind a central striker even if there is plenty of competition for places with the likes of skipper Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee, Mount and Amad all perhaps eyeing one of those spots.

Sunday's line-up will offer the first glimpse of the Amorim era and with Garnacho having been away in South America on international duty and therefore being one of the last to arrive back at Carrington, he could be one of the fall-guys.

Rashford up top

For all the talk of Marcus Rashford missing out on a place in Amorim's first XI amid the expectation of Fernandes being pushed into the front-three and Amad keeping his place, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Rashford may start in a central position and lead the line.

He has started centrally in the past and he has the pace to get in behind Ipswich's centre-backs. Rashford has always maintained he is at his best when starting on the left, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot. He did almost all of his damage from that position when he scored 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.

Rasmus Hojlund is United's striker-in-chief, meaning almost everyone expects him to start at Portman Road, but he could be extracted from the XI to make room for Rashford. Starting with the latter up front, however, would represent a brave call from Amorim.

Mainoo overlooked

After missing the last seven matches through injury, pictures of Kobbie Mainoo back in first-team training earlier this week were a welcome sight. The 19-year-old is adored by United supporters and they are desperate to see him back on the pitch as quickly as possible.

In his absence in recent weeks, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro took charge of matters in midfield, both impressing during Ruud Van Nistelrooy's stint in interim charge. However, the expectation is that Mainoo will force his way back into the team and attempt to start building an on-field relationship with Ugarte.

But in the event of him not being considered quite fit enough to start this weekend, Casemiro could keep his place and operate next to Ugarte again.