Manchester United have been looking to reinforce their midfield in the ongoing summer transfer window as Ruben Amorim looks to bring in more quality in the middle of the park, a phase where the Premier League heavyweights suffered a lot in the past season. And given how Casemiro has been linked with a possible exit from M16 and how Eriksen is on his way out of Old Trafford, there is room for new signings at United, and this is where the links to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz make sense.
While the initial links between Manchester United and bringing Fabian Ruiz to M16 surfaced when Ralf Rangnick was still in charge at the club, the Premier League heavyweights have taken new directions since, which means that his tactical relevance under Ruben Amorim will be different than when he was first linked. And we take this opportunity to dive into how Ruiz can be used at Old Trafford under the Portuguese head coach.
Amorim has brought more of a structure to the current roster, where he plays in either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 shape, deploying double pivots in the middle of the park. And he puts heavy demands on central control and progressive passing, and I think that Ruiz fits right into that…
Strengths
Manchester United want to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Fabian Ruiz this summer
The Spanish international is elite when it comes to ball progression given how good he is with the ball, especially in tight zones where he can put through precise line-breaking passes or come out of it with those elegant ball carries that he has been renowned for. And that in Amorim’s build-up structure (especially from deep) can end up being crucial given how the former Sporting Lisbon manager can use him in more of a natural tempo-setter role.
He is also someone who has that tactical flexibility given how he can play in a lone pivot role as well as in a double pivot or even as an advanced No. 8, which also suits Amorim’s rotational midfield system where he is expecting his players to drift wide, press, and recycle possession.
And then if I am talking about his composure, especially when under pressure. We have seen time and again how Rios doesn’t end up panicking when facing pressing traps, and this is where Amorim can use him to retain control especially when when facing high-intensity opponents.
And lastly, Ruiz has a bit of a shooting range from long distance, which also brings a sense of unpredictability to the midfield at Carrington, which the club has been lacking since Paul Pogba.
Weaknesses
One thing most of us who have watched Ruiz play would agree on is that he is not the most physical or tenacious midfielder when he is going into duels, and he can be easily outmuscled, especially when you put him up as a sole 6 in transition-heavy games. He would need to be paired with a more defensive partner (like Mainoo or a new signing) to balance the midfield.
Then when it comes to pace, Ruiz is not as rapid, so he cannot recover as well in transitional situations or when it comes to covering wide overloads, which can end up being a cause of concern, especially in Amorim’s more vertical phases.
How can Ruiz fit in at United under Ruben Amorim?
Manchester United could complete the signing of Fabian Ruiz in the summer window.
Manchester United are looking to complete the signing of Fabian Ruiz.
Amorim is likely going to use a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1, and Ruiz can fit in as a left-sided central midfielder in a double pivot where he acts more as a metronome when in possession, feeding the wing-backs and inside forwards with diagonal switches. If he is in the side, I also expect him to dictate rhythm with high pass volume and control deeper zones.
When it comes to build-up phases, Ruiz suddenly drops between the centre-backs or alongside the right pivot to draw out pressure. And then his calmness makes him ideal when playing against high blocks.
Coming into the off-the-ball situations, the Portuguese head coach could end up telling Ruiz to hold shape, make blocks, and ensure compactness, while his midfield partner covers ground and presses more aggressively.
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Author Opinion – Ruiz is exactly where United should look…
If Manchester United are serious about bringing in someone who brings that control in the middle of the park that the Premier League heavyweights have lacked since maybe post-Matic, then Fabian Ruiz is exactly where you should be looking, given how he has that press resistance about him complemented by a sense of tempo control and versatility that ends up fitting seamlessly into the structure that Amorim has deployed at M16.
But that being said, Ruiz would only shine if you pair him with someone who is more athletic and defensively strong.