Ruben Amorim experienced an eye-opening debut Premier League outing as Manchester United’s manager during their 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Marcus Rashford’s early goal offered hope for a dominant performance. However, Ipswich soon found their rhythm, and Omari Hutchinson’s deflected strike before halftime nullified United’s advantage.
Despite some late pressure from United, Ipswich remained the more cohesive side for much of the game.
After the match, Amorim openly admitted that his players are still grappling with his tactical expectations, a sentiment echoed by Owen Hargreaves, who observed the game from close quarters.
Hargreaves, speaking to Premier League Productions, highlighted Amorim’s visible irritation with several players, including Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Højlund, and Rashford.
“He was pretty frustrated, especially in the first half,” Hargreaves said. “Dalot’s positioning seemed to bother him, and he wasn’t happy with the midfield balance. When Zirkzee came on, his positioning wasn’t quite right either, and Højlund also didn’t seem to be where Amorim wanted him. Even Rashford appeared unsure about where to be at times.”
Hargreaves suggested that Amorim underestimated the complexity of adapting his system to the current squad: “Before the game, he was all smiles, but during it, he realized this is going to be a lot harder than he envisioned.”
Another point of contention was Amorim’s decision to leave 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo on the bench, despite midfield struggles. Hargreaves argued that Mainoo, alongside Manuel Ugarte, could have offered more solidity than the Eriksen-Casemiro pairing.
“If you think Eriksen and Casemiro as a midfield two will work in the Premier League, you’re going to struggle,” Hargreaves remarked. “Omari Hutchinson kept beating them on the turn. It seemed like a game made for Ugarte and Mainoo.”
Hargreaves also noted several players appeared to be deployed outside their natural roles, which contributed to the disjointed display.
“Amad played as a left-footed right wing-back, and while he did okay, it’s not his natural position. Zirkzee as a No.10 didn’t seem right either. Garnacho was quiet, Rashford didn’t know where he needed to be, and you could see Amorim’s frustration building.”
Despite the underwhelming performance, Amorim remains committed to implementing his system, even if it means reshuffling personnel.
“The team will look different in a few weeks,” Hargreaves predicted. “Ugarte and Mainoo will likely feature more. Defensively, the return of players like Lisandro Martinez, Yoro, and Luke Shaw should provide stability. But if players can’t adapt, they probably won’t be here long.”
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna deserves credit for outmaneuvering Amorim tactically, showcasing an organized and dynamic performance.
For Amorim, the draw serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead, both in refining his tactics and identifying players who can thrive within his system.
As United continue their transition under Amorim, patience will be critical. The Portuguese manager has a clear vision, but turning it into reality will require both time and the right personnel. For now, performances like the one at Portman Road highlight just how steep the learning curve might be.