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Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United era officially begins this Sunday with an away clash against Ipswich Town.
The former Sporting CP manager inherits a squad full of potential, but one that has been plagued by inconsistency and injuries over the past 18 months.
This fixture presents an opportunity for United to start climbing the Premier League table under Amorim’s guidance.
However, the Portuguese manager will need to navigate this match without several key players.
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Among the expected absentees, left-back Luke Shaw remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
Shaw, a natural fit for Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system, has not featured regularly for United in the past several seasons.
Tyrell Malacia, another option for the left wingback role, has been making progress in training but may still be too early in his recovery to be included in the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, promising young center-back Leny Yoro has been training with the first team but is more likely to feature for the academy sides before making his senior debut.
Defensive concerns don’t end there for Amorim. Harry Maguire, sidelined for nearly six weeks, is still working on his rehabilitation, while Lisandro Martinez’s back problem also rules him out of contention for Sunday’s game.
Martinez’s withdrawal from Argentina’s squad earlier this month raised alarm bells, with Lionel Scaloni confirming that the center-back’s injury worsened upon arrival in camp.
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Victor Lindelof also finds himself on the sidelines, having picked up a knock during international duty with Sweden.
In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo offers some hope of a return. The youngster has been training this week but is not expected to start, with a bench role being the most optimistic outcome.
Dan Gore is back on the grass but, like Mainoo, needs more time before featuring in competitive matches.
Tom Collyer rounds out the list of absentees, with the midfielder still recovering from an injury sustained earlier this month.
Despite these setbacks, there is optimism at Carrington. Malacia, Mainoo, and Yoro are all progressing well in their respective recoveries, and Amorim’s tactical acumen could provide a much-needed boost to a depleted squad.
The game against Ipswich Town marks the beginning of a new chapter for Manchester United, though it’s clear that Amorim’s journey will be anything but straightforward.
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