'Motivated' - Ruben Amorim might have an unexpected Manchester United undroppable

It is unusual for a new head coach or manager to inherit a team that has won three of its last four matches when walking into a new job mid-season.

However, that is exactly the scenario Ruben Amorim will be walking into when he starts work at Manchester United this week.

The 39-year-old arrived in England on Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after taking charge of Sporting Lisbon for the final time, accompanied by five members of his coaching team. Amorim is now waiting for a work permit to come through before officially rolling up his sleeves at Carrington.

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Arriving at United at the start of an international break means it will not be until deep into next week that he gets to assess his whole squad up close and personal for the first time. By that juncture, he will be putting the finishing touches to his preparations for his first game in charge.

Amorim's first assignment as United manager will be a long trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town. All of the pre-match focus will be on how Amorim could unleash his new team for the first time. The 39-year-old is expected to immediately install the 3-4-3 formation that he enjoyed so much success with at Sporting.

As fresh and as exciting as that prospect is, such is the way United's play stagnated in the latter stages of Erik ten Hag's tenure, it does create questions about what the team will look like. A lot of debate is already surrounding who could start in midfield and in the wide areas.

But if Ruud van Nistelrooy's final two games in interim charge had any impact at all on Amorim's planning for his first game at the helm, Amad should be the very first name on the teamsheet at Portman Road.

After marking his first start in more than a month with a well-taken brace against PAOK in the Europa League last Thursday night, he followed that up with a brilliant assist in Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester City. He now has five direct goal contributions (three goals and two assists) to his name this season.

Harshly overlooked in the latter stages of Ten Hag's tenure, losing his place in the XI after starting the season strongly, Amad performed with the mindset of a point to prove against both PAOK and Leicester, impacting proceedings positively.

As has been well-documented in recent months, Amad has come on in leaps and bounds in a very short space of time, establishing himself as one of United's best attackers. His first thought when he receives the ball is to drive forward and make something happen, whether it be by shooting or providing a pass.

His second goal against PAOK was typical of the Ivorian, who loves to cut inside on his stronger left foot. His assist for Bruno Fernandes' opener against Leicester was as equally impressive, with the former Sunderland loanee demonstrating fantastic awareness to find the United captain with a backheel.

Having been bright after stepping off the substitutes bench in Van Nistelrooy's first two games in interim charge, he was worthy of the start he earned against PAOK, with his two goals against the Greek outfit making it impossible for the Dutchman to then relegate him back to the bench for the visit of Leicester. Van Nistelrooy said the winger is 'motivated to get the most from his career' after his brace last week.

As a United winger, there is an expectation to create and score goals. There is also a clamour and demand to entertain. Amad is capable of conducting both tasks, meaning it is hardly surprising so many United fans have been eager for him to start in recent weeks. It beggars belief that Ten Hag overlooked him so often towards the end of his tenure.

As a hard-working, creative and goal-scoring operator, Amad should be a player Amorim dreams of taking to the next level. United's supporters have fallen in love with the Ivorian and he should be given the license to try and reach the next level under the new head coach.