Ruben Amorim to hand debut to new Manchester United signing before January

Ruben Amorim has already sent a clear transfer message before his Manchester United tenure has even begun.

“I will not take any of Sporting’s players in January,” he vowed last week, anticipating the inevitable speculation that would stir following his appointment. He will get a taste of the mountain he must scale at United on Tuesday evening against Premier League champions Manchester City, which in turn might dictate his ultimate transfer policy once bedded in at Old Trafford.

Though, he probably already knows the task ahead. Sporting CP host Man City in the Champions League for the first time since a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Pep Guardiola in the round-of-16 in 2022.

Amorim was in charge that day and decided to field a back-five with a team containing Pedro Porro (now of Tottenham), Joao Palhinha (Bayern Munich) and Matheus Nunes (City). Manuel Ugarte (United) eventually came off the bench.

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The Sporting coach did much better in the second leg at the Etihad when he switched to a back-three and drew 0-0, albeit the tie had long gone by then. Whether Guardiola - in the final year of his contract - will be at City next season has yet to be determined but the Blues remain the current benchmark.

Those failing for form at United can take courage from the paths some of Amorim’s former players have taken since leaving Sporting. Summer signing Ugarte might be breathing a sigh of relief after a tough few opening months in England.

Amorim is anticipated to shake up United's system, having only diverted from his 3-4-3 formation at Sporting a handful of times - the 5-0 defeat to City being one of them.

There is an urging from supporters to see Amorim carry out what he does best and not try to conform to the current humdrum - even if it is initially risky doing so. That potentially means a youthful back three.

In his most recent Sporting game, the average age of the back line was 21, with 23-year-old Goncalo Inacio the oldest of the lot. There is every chance the slightly older Lisandro Martinez, 26, takes on that mantle at United with Matthijs De Ligt, 25, by his side.

It remains to be seen what Amorim thinks of 36-year-old Jonny Evans, 31-year-old Harry Maguire and 30-year-old Victor Lindelof. All the while, Leny Yoro does not turn 19 until next week.

The Frenchman has yet to make his competitive debut having suffered a fractured metatarsal in pre-season. He arrived this summer with a giant appraisal from his emergence at Lille, which had attracted the interest of Real Madrid and Liverpool.

There is now perhaps more expectation and hope being placed on the Yoro after United’s dismal defensive start to the season. The team has kept just one clean sheet in their past nine games and have shipped 12 goals in 10 Premier League matches.

Enthusiastic United fans should not feel downcast if Yoro does not hit the ground running. A new manager, his tender age on a big stage and the nature of his setback does not position him for such an instantaneous impact.

Yet, he is essentially a new signing - in the middle of November. Yoro is not expected back until after the international break, when United travel to Ipswich Town. That would be the near-perfect introduction, with Europa League minnow Bodo/Glimt up next at Old Trafford.

If United fans wish to gain an insight into Amorim’s defensive tactics against the Premier League elite, Sporting’s clash with Man City this evening is an excellent window into what might be for both United and Yoro - and what transfer profiles he may target.