Manchester United players have been slow to adapt to manager Ruben Amorim’s tactical demands, contributing to the club’s poor start under the Portuguese tactician.
They will need to improve for the 40-year-old to succeed at Old Trafford.
Here are six players that Amorim can improve ahead of his first full season in charge of the Red Devils.
Leny Yoro
Yoro impressed towards the end of the season, particularly with his excellent ball-carrying ability.
He has to be better in aerial duels. He won 52.2 percent of same in the just-concluded season, the second-lowest percentage among United centre-backs.
He could also provide more threat during set-pieces, having scored just once for United.
Amorim must help the French defender develop as he could become a key player for the club.
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo has struggled as a number 10. He averaged just 0.30 shot-creating actions per game in the just-concluded season, lower than defensive midfielders Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
He registered only three goal contributions in 37 games across all competitions.
Mainoo is one of the club’s most talented players, and Amorim must find a way to maximise his potential.
Patrick Dorgu
The Dane has not fully settled at Old Trafford since arriving in January.
He registered just one assist in 20 games, completed only 23 percent of his dribbles, and averaged 0.24 shot-creating actions per game, lesser than academy product Harry Amass (0.25).
Defensively, Dorgu was better, winning 70.3 percent of his tackles and 67.5 percent of his aerial duels.
However, he has to develop offensively to thrive as a wing-back.
Harry Amass
Amass made just seven first team appearances but showed glimpses of his talent.
His crossing accuracy, defensive positioning, and timing of tackles are areas that still need refinement.
If he shows massive progress in his game in the coming months, he could compete with Dorgu for the left wing-back position.
Tyler Fredricson
The young centre-back made his debut this season and showed glimpses of his talent.
He must improve his physicality and positional awareness to establish himself as a regular in United’s defence.
Amorim’s guidance will be key to shaping Fredricson into a top-level defender.
Sekou Kone
Highly rated within the club, Kone has yet to make his competitive debut, but he did feature during the post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong.
U21 head coach Travis Binnion noted that Kone needed to improve his ‘intensity, positional discipline, and fitness’ in January.
While there have been signs of progress, more work is required for him to break into the first team.
Stats from fbref.com & transfermarkt.com