Ruben Amorim has a problem to solve
Ruben Amorim has a problem to solve (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images.)
Not only did Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road mark the beginning of the Ruben Amorim era, it also marked the beginning of a fixture marathon.
The trip to Suffolk marked the first of 11 games United must navigate their way through before 2024 draws to a close.
With such a busy period of the season now upon us, Amorim, who will be dreaming of winning his first home game in charge of United when Bodo/Glimt visit Old Trafford on Thursday, has already highlighted just how important rotation is likely to be over the next few weeks.
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"They are already split because if Bruno [Fernandes] plays tomorrow he cannot train for two days, even the day before the next match he cannot train - just slowly, or jogging," said Amorim, speaking at Wednesday's press conference.
"So they are already split. What I am seeing is that some guys that don't play, the next day after the match they will train and have an opportunity to have a real training session.
"Some guys will play, some will have the opportunity to have a training session and in the next game we will change positions."
Fortunately for Amorim, he has arrived at Old Trafford as the club's list of injuries is slowly beginning to shorten. That was highlighted by the fact he was able to include Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Kobbie Mainoo on the bench at Ipswich.
Lisandro Martinez is set to be the next player to return, with the Argentine poised to be included in Amorim's plans for the visit of Bodo/Glimt. His return will be a welcome relief, as it is at centre-back where United are the most stretched.
However, the same thing cannot be said of the midfield department. With Mainoo having made the bench at the weekend, Amorim was able to include Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, Casemiro and Mainoo in his matchday squad.
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro will be challenging each other for a starting berth. (Image: Will Palmer/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.)
Previously playing in a 4-3-3 system under former manager Erik ten Hag, the aforementioned six players were competing for three places in midfield. However, following the addition of Ugarte at the end of the summer transfer window, Ten Hag was only able to name each of United's six senior midfielders in his matchday squad on three occasions because of injury and suspension-related issues.
Injuries were a huge issue during Ten Hag's final 12 months at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman often highlighting the loss of key players as a reason for United's struggles. In his defence, he often had a point.
However, the fact Casemiro, Eriksen, Ugarte, Mainoo, Mount and Fernandes were all involved in the matchday squad at the weekend should provide Amorim with confidence that he will be able to rotate his midfield over the coming weeks to keep it fresh without too much upheaval.
Playing 10 times in the next 33 days means Amorim will have to rotate his midfield regularly. As part of his 3-4-3 system, two players will operate in the centre of midfield, meaning competition for places will be high.
Casemiro, Eriksen, Ugarte and Mainoo will all believe they are worthy of starting. Many anticipate Ugarte and Mainoo will form Amorim's first-choice midfield partnership.
As a result of United's width being provided by the wing-backs, the two attackers that support the central striker in the front-three play narrower, meaning the roles suit Fernandes and Mount, who are more attack-minded than their midfield teammates.
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It means Amorim has the luxury of all six of United's senior midfielders competing for a starting berth - a problem he will be happy to have. That should create competition for places and push each of them to improve their performance levels.
The nature of United's schedule over the coming weeks means that Amorim will be hoping nobody picks up an injury that forces them to miss the busiest period in the football calendar.
Having a strong crop of options available in midfield is a luxury Ten Hag didn't enjoy as often as he would have liked.