Ruben Amorim tipped to drop Manchester United star: ‘He might struggle’

Ruben Amorim has been tipped to drop a Manchester United star who ‘might struggle’ under the new Old Trafford boss.

Ex-Sporting Lisbon manager Amorim took charge of the Premier League giants on November 11 and oversaw a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town in his first game at the helm.

Following Sunday’s stalemate, Amorim admitted the team were ‘going to suffer for a long period’ and said it would ‘take time’ to implement his philosophy on a new group of players.

Despite the possibility for some early teething issues, former Ireland defender and Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson believes the entire United squad will benefit from Amorim’s arrival.

Manchester United won two trophies under former boss Erik ten Hag but underwhelmed in the Premier League and were 14th in the table when the Dutchman was finally axed.

Lawrenson, does, however, expect United midfielder Casemiro to ‘struggle’ to meet the demands of new manager Amorim and believes he will soon find himself out of the team.

The Brazilian started at Portman Road on Sunday but was subbed off just before the hour mark for Manuel Ugarte, a player Amorim worked with at Sporting.

‘I think the whole Manchester United squad will benefit from Ruben Amorim’s arrival,’ Lawrenson told Paddy Power.

‘I don’t do stats, but I bet you that all their stats will be better this weekend than they have been [all season]. It’s just one of those things.

‘It’s going to take a while to decide how they’re going to play. He obviously wants to press but they won’t be able to do it straight away because they’re not used to it.

‘You’d look at Casemiro and think that if they’re going to press and get up the field quickly, that won’t be his ideal way of playing and I think he might struggle.

‘He has played better of late, but they’ve got a new manager, and he might decide to drop him because he doesn’t have the legs.’

While Lawrenson fears for Casemiro, he believes England defender Harry Maguire could enjoy a revival under Amorim following a difficult period at Old Trafford.

‘If Harry Maguire knocked on Ruben Amorim’s door, he’ll have a look at him and see what he’s got,’ Lawrenson added.

‘With every player – and there’s lots of them – he has to look at each one, but in the meantime, he must get results.

‘If Harry Maguire plays as the middle of Amorim’s back three, he’ll be comfortable. It’s just that he doesn’t have that half a yard of pace.

‘Ruben Amorim might think he can put him in the middle with two guys either side who have legs and see how they go.’

Amorim’s Manchester United face Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night before returning to Premier League action at the weekend against Everton.

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