By 90min | Created at 2024-11-20 23:55:37 | Updated at 2024-11-23 08:23:28
2 days ago
There are two kinds of managerial or coaching headaches in football: one, where injuries mean you don't have enough players and it’s a challenge just to pick a team; two, because you have multiple options and must figure both the best combination and how to manage disappointment.
The latter is the good kind of headache that bosses actually want.
And it's that situation now presenting itself to new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim when it comes to the wide forwards at his disposal.
The Portuguese is expected to bring the 3-4-3 formation he used to such good effect at Sporting CP, with evidence of such a system already seen in training highlights this week. United are still having issues at centre-back, with Harry Maguire sidelined, Lisandro Martinez withdrawing from Argentina's squad and Victor Lindelof injured while in action for Sweden. But the wing-back department, which could even include Antony in a 'Victor Moses under Antonio Conte'-style redemption arc, looks healthier than it might have done amid Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw being back in full training.
At the top end of the pitch, flanking likely starting central striker Rasmus Hojlund, United have too many players for the wide forward positions on offer. It doesn't mean the lineup will be locked and won't change, but if only two players are regular starters, one may have to accept a reduced role.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo each have their individual strengths, as well as being versatile enough to play on either side. But all have a preferred role and Amorim will need to work out how to utilise and get the best out of the trio.
Marcus Rashford has done it before / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
The most proven goalscorer in the Manchester United squad as it sits is Rashford. Even though he hasn't been in brilliant form for around 18 months, the now 27-year-old scored 30 goals during the 2022/23 campaign. He'd also surpassed 20 goals in two of the three seasons before that. Those kinds of numbers don't happen by fluke or accident, especially not multiple times. There is a very good player ready to be unleashed once more, and it will be down to Amorim to bring it out of him.
Rashford has predominantly played from the left in recent years, although a number of appearances this season alone have been on the right. He has been known to play centrally too, both when he burst into the team in 2016 and occasionally during his 30-goal campaign. But from a goalscoring perspective, if Amorim is to uncover the old Rashford, he may be best suited to the left.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is most effective on the left / Naomi Baker/GettyImages
This is already where problems start, because Alejandro Garnacho is also primarily a left winger as well – that’s where he's scored six of his seven goals this season from. So if the 20-year-old Argentine is to play in the same team as Rashford, one of them won't be in their preferred position on the pitch, which has been the case a number of times in recent months.
Right now, Garnacho bears considerable similarities to Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age. It is abundantly clear how talented he is, and he is already capable of pulling off decisive and/or game-changing moments. Where Garnacho needs to improve is consistency, which came for Ronaldo ahead of the 2006/07 season when he was 21, and then supercharged going into 2007/08.
Amad Diallo hit form under Ruud van Nistelrooy / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Of the three, Amad Diallo is the most comfortable on the right, but is also the least proven.
The Ivory Coast international, signed in an eye-raising deal worth up to £37m when he was an unknown 18-year-old, has been something of a slow burner so far. This is already Amad's fourth season with United and he has grafted out on loan with Rangers and Sunderland, as well as having to deal with a frustrating injury layoff when he returned from the latter on a massive high.
Amad started this season with promise and then bizarrely fell out of favour towards the end of Erik ten Hag's reign, before finding his feet again during Ruud van Nistelrooy's interim tenure. If Amorim wants a natural right winger, the 22-year-old is the best fit, but it involves dropping one of the others.
