Ruben Amorim sends four-word promise to Man Utd stars with HUGE change coming - The Mirror

Manchester United host Bournemouth on Monday night looking to make it back-to-back Premier League wins, but something aside from the result could be a talking point at Old Trafford

Manchester United could be about to line up in a different formation for the very first time under Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Monday night, a week on from beating bottom-of-the-table Wolves 4-1.

In that game - like the previous 56 under Amorim - United lined up in his preferred formation, 3-4-2-1. Former players, fans and pundits alike have spent months urging the Portuguese to be less fixated on that shape and move to a four-man defence, one more traditional in the English game.

The formation, however, that worked a treat during his time at Sporting Lisbon and Braga beforehand. But during a team meeting before the victory over Wolves, Amorim effectively told his players that 'a change is coming'.

For the past week, a significant amount of time in training was dedicated to playing in a 4-3-3 formation, sources revealed to the Athletic. Such a change would make Bournemouth's visit to Old Trafford a key point in Amorim's reign.

Monday's fixture also represents the first time that United could be without three starters who are due to play for their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations. Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco), Amad (Ivory Coast) and Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) have all received call-ups, but it's unknown how many - if any - of the trio will be involved due to the tournament which begins later this week.

Mazraoui, Amad and Mbeumo have made up the entirety of United's right-hand side in recent games, giving Amorim a headache for when they're absent. Also, in his Friday pre-match press conference, the Red Devils boss hinted that the out-of-favour Kobbie Mainoo could be given more game time by playing with three central midfielders instead of two.

"The problem is we are playing with two [in midfield] and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I'm seeing," Amorim explained. "Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes. Imagine that this happens. Someone in front is going to lose their spot."

The 40-year-old was then asked how Benjamin Sesko's impending return from injury would impact his decisions, having used Matheus Cunha as a striker last time out. "I think it's not just Ben but everyone," Amorim replied.

Should Ruben Amorim change his formation? Have your say in the comments section.

"We need to adapt a little bit the way we are going to play the games, and that is a good opportunity to do that because we cannot think that we are going to play the same way without Amad, Bryan and Nous (Mazraoui), but especially Amad and Bryan because of the characteristics. That is really hard to get.

"They have more or less the same characteristics, the both of them, and we are losing them for a few games. But it's a good opportunity for us to try to play in a different way."

That 'different way' could be on the horizon.

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