Mason Mount returns: ‘Huge’ Man United starting XI update, multiple changes
Ruben Amorim is set to experiment with his Man United starting XI for the Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during their most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the boss is keen to assess the levels of players across the whole squad.
Following a 1-1 draw with Leicester City in his first match in charge, Amorim has already started to build an idea of how he wants his ideal team to look.
His first experiment saw him start Marcus Rashford as the sole centre-forward, with mixed results after he scored United’s only goal of the game but otherwise struggled to impress.
Now, though, he will turn his attention to the players at his disposal with plenty of rotation expected as he continues to figure out his first-choice XI.
The likes of Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Luke Shaw are all expected to play a part in the game as they attempt to launch a challenge for a place in the starting XI.
Ruben Amorim makes Man United player decisions ahead of Europa League clash
Players who had previously been on the fringes of the squad will be given their chance to impress, while it has also been suggested academy stars could be given their chance.
Brown, who worked as the number two to the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson at United in spells as the assistant manager and chief scout, insisted that Amorim is still keen to assess the true level of his players to build an established first XI.
“I didn’t expect to see many changes against Ipswich,” he told Football Insider.
“I’d expect more to be made for the Europa League game in the week.
“It’s a good opportunity for him to assess the players and see what he’s got available.
“As he starts to get some of his players back to full fitness, he’ll have even more decisions to make about what his best team is.
“The only way he can figure that out is by playing them from the start to see where they’re at.
“Luke Shaw and Mason Mount coming back will be a huge boost for him.
“But he’s got other players to assess too. Both of the strikers and some of the young players looking to break through.
“So, from what I hear, he’s going to rotate again in mid-week and experiment a bit with his team.
“They see it as a good opportunity to play a few of the players who might otherwise be on the fringes, because they’re at home against a struggling side.
“Of course, they need to win the game, but it’s also a chance for the manager to make his assessment.”
In other news, Man United had to buy ‘different gravy’ ex-Man City striker – Jeff Stelling.
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