Onana believes Manchester United players will step up under new head coach Ruben Amorim, while some, like Joshua Zirkzee, have been told they won’t feature in his plans. Amorim’s arrival could lead to significant changes, with the team needing to adapt to his style of play.
Onana: Man Utd Players Will ‘Rise’ for Amorim
Andre Onana believes Manchester United’s players can adjust to a new style under head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Cameroon goalkeeper is among the five signings made by Erik ten Hag, having previously played under him at Ajax, alongside Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Antony.
Amorim plans to shift Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 system to the 3-4-3 formation he uses at Sporting Lisbon, which helped him secure a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night’s Champions League victory over Manchester City.
‘I did watch it,’ said Onana. ‘It was a great victory for them. Different system, but my teammates we are all pragmatic.
‘Everyone here is capable of playing in each system; I don’t think it will be an issue for us. We have big players, and they will step up.’
Ruud van Nistelrooy is serving as interim manager until Amorim arrives on Monday and will lead his third game against PAOK Salonika in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Van Nistelrooy acknowledges that he has yet to speak with Amorim and is uncertain about his future.
‘No, I didn’t have contact so far. There are no changes in that, I don’t know when yet,’ he said. ‘It’s difficult to comment on that now; I’m waiting for conversations to take place.
‘In the meantime, the most important for this club is getting the work done on a daily basis and in the game coming up. It’s a European night at Old Trafford against the Greek champions.
‘I feel the responsibility to do well over the next week, and that’s my job. I think I’m doing the new manager the best favor to do that.’
United’s £59 million summer signing, Leny Yoro, participated in first-team training on Wednesday for the first time in three months after recovering from a fractured metatarsal. The French defender is expected to return to action after the international break.
Man Utd Star Told He Won’t Play Under Amorim
Ian Wright is firm in his belief that Joshua Zirkzee won’t feature under new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim, as the striker isn’t up to the required standard.
Zirkzee, 23, was brought in for £36 million from Bologna this summer but has managed only one goal in 14 appearances for the Red Devils, failing to impress during his time on the field.
It was revealed earlier this week that Zirkzee, who reportedly arrived at the club a stone overweight, was not a player Erik ten Hag intended to sign. Instead, he was identified by the club’s new football management.
The Netherlands international has been a backup to Rasmus Hojlund since the Danish striker’s return from injury. Wright believes that Zirkzee’s chances of getting more playing time won’t improve with the arrival of Amorim, who will officially take over from Ten Hag next week.
Speaking on Wrighty’s House, the former Arsenal star said: “When I look at the strikers at Manchester United, comparing [Rasmus] Hojlund and Zirkzee, I just don’t see Zirkzee fitting into any formation that will help United reach the level they need to be at – top-four, Champions League, title contenders – based on what I’ve seen so far.”
“I can see it with Hojlund; he looks like a future player with better players around him. He gives me the impression that if he gets in and around the box and he gets chances, he can go hot. I don’t see the same with Zirkzee. I look at him and his movement; I don’t see anything in his game that makes me think, ‘Okay, there he is; I see what he can do.’
“I see that in Hojlund and some of the others. I can see them easily levelling up but I feel for Zirkzee.”
Zirkzee only scored 11 goals in Serie A for Bologna last season, so he was never expected to be the prolific striker Manchester United has been desperately seeking. While he sees potential in Hojlund, he believes United still lacks a main striker.
He added: “United still need a striker. Whether they transform Marcus [Rashford] into that role or bring in a top striker, they need one to play alongside Hojlund, with Hojlund possibly serving as the backup.”
“I’m trying to think of Ruben Amorim coming in and who he’s going to play. Zirkzee will need to go through some massive transformation to play in the team ahead of other players.
“He’s definitely not a natural goalscorer. I’m still waiting to see it from him.”
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