How Ruben Amorim's strongest Manchester United line-up could look with return of injured duo

Ruben Amorim walked into a happy and upbeat environment when he arrived at Carrington for the very first time on Monday.

Manchester United recorded their joint-biggest Premier League victory of the season on Sunday, beating Leicester City 3-0 at Old Trafford, to chalk up a third win in their last four matches. Sunday's victory over the Foxes brought interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy's time in caretaker charge to a close on a high, with the Dutchman presiding over three wins and a draw after being tasked with stepping into the breach recently vacated by Erik ten Hag.

The former United striker has now handed the baton over to Amorim, who took charge of Sporting Lisbon for the final time on Sunday evening. The 39-year-old will officially start work at Old Trafford once he has obtained a visa.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim hints at decision on Ruud van Nistelrooy at United

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim has three young players to build a United title-winning team

Although several of United's players will be flocking to all corners of the globe over this international break to represent their respective nations, Amorim will be busy preparing for his first game in charge - a trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on November 24.

As has been well-documented ever since Amorim entered the running to succeed Ten Hag a fortnight ago, he is expected to install his preferred 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford, signalling a tactical shift. Amorim enjoyed no shortage of success playing with that formation in Portugal.

A change in shape will give United a completely new dynamic, meaning competition for some places within the team will be more fierce than in others. Starting in goal, Andre Onana is poised to remain the club's first-choice goalkeeper. He has improved since arriving from Inter Milan in July 2023 and has been a key fixture so far this season.

His shot-stopping ability has improved significantly, and he will still be keen to demonstrate the ball-playing expertise which made him United's top target to replace David de Gea last year.

As far as the defensive line is concerned, a 3-4-3 formation will see Amorim deploy three central defenders across the back. United strengthened their centre-back pool in the summer, swooping for Leny Yoro from Lille and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

De Ligt has experienced an inconsistent start to his United career, whereas Yoro is yet to make his debut after after fracturing his metatarsal in the opening game of the club's pre-season tour of the United States. He could be back available at some point before the end of this month.

As soon as he is recovered and his match sharpness develops, he may become a key member of the club's strongest starting XI. He is considered a future star and United will want to maximise his potential as soon as possible, aided by the support of more experienced figures in Lisandro Martinez and De Ligt.

Yoro would be a good fit for the right-sided centre-back berth and Martinez is tailor-made for the left-sided role because of his passing range. De Ligt is capable of operating between them.

Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia will be battling for the two wing-back roles. Shaw and Malacia are still sidelined with injuries, but Dalot and Mazraoui are worthy of retaining their places nonetheless.

Dalot is at his best on the right and has the speed and ability to get up and down the pitch. Mazraoui, though he is not naturally a left-sided player, has been excellent on that side of the pitch recently.

The introduction of a 3-4-3 system under Amorim risks creating a headache for the 39-year-old in midfield. When everyone is fit and available, United are blessed with plenty of options.

Selecting just two to operate in the engine room will be a challenge in itself. Amorim will need to strike a balance between defensive and attacking phases of play.

Kobbie Mainoo is one of United's best players and has enormous potential, meaning he should reclaim his place in the team once he recovers from his current injury. He is a forward-thinking player but is capable of assisting defensively.

Manuel Ugarte found some momentum under Van Nistelrooy, earning four starts, and produced his best Premier League performance to date against Leicester at the weekend. He offers the defensive solidity United need in midfield.

The prospect of Mainoo and Ugarte starting alongside each other in the middle creates an element of uncertainty about where Bruno Fernandes will slot in. He is United's captain and has recaptured some form in recent weeks.

Fernandes has the tactical capacity to start out wide and move inside, finding pockets of space. It means he could be an option as an inverted right-sided or left-sided -winger.

The prospect of that decision coming to fruition means only one of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad will be guaranteed a start, with Rasmus Hojlund poised to continue at the tip of the attack. On current form, Amad deserves the nod.

United's strongest XI: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez; Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mazraoui; Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes.