AMOR MOUR MORE

Jose fan Ruben will need to show he's a special one to get United firing again

- DAVID MCDONNELL

WITH Manchester United closing in on the appointment of Ruben Amorim, the big question is how the team would look under the Portuguese coach.

United are locked in talks with Sporting Lisbon chief Amorim after identifying the 39-year-old as the man to haul them out of their current crisis and set them on the path back to the top.

Just like at Sporting, where he has won two league titles, Amorim's task at United will be to resurrect a fallen giant.

So what can United and their fans expect from Amorim if the Portuguese becomes the sixth permanent manager to take his place in the Old Trafford dugout since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013? Amorim is wedded to a 3-4-3 formation and it seems inconceivable a move to the Premier League would see him shift from the philosophy and system that has served him so well in his native Portugal.

United are used to a traditional back-four, with two holding midfielders, a No.10 flanked by two wide men, and a No.9 spearheading the attack.

But if Amorim arrives at United, the players can wave goodbye to 4-2-3-1.