Firstly, the non-negotiables.
Amorim’s system entails two deeper midfield gamers, wing-backs who push excessive up the pitch, two inside forwards and a striker.
It’s assumed Sesko would be the striker, with Matheus Cunha enjoying behind him on the left and Bryan Mbeumo on the best.
That may imply skipper Bruno Fernandes taking up one of many deeper midfield roles.
Now, Fernandes is many issues however a box-to-box midfielder just isn’t one in every of them.
Fernandes likes to roam. He likes to get on the ball. He likes to search out pockets of house to take a go.
However the 30-year-old Portugal worldwide just isn’t somebody you’ll depend on being alert to hazard. He isn’t somebody who’s going to make a 10-yard run in anticipation of closing down house.
This appears to be an issue even when it was one thing Amorim dismissed after I requested him on the precise level about his midfield in Chicago a few weeks in the past.
“Bruno runs lots,” he mentioned. “Perhaps within the dash he is a distinct participant, however he runs lots. He has numerous endurance. He is good. So it isn’t about that. Bruno’s physicality just isn’t the priority. He is prepared for the physicality, enjoying deep or as a midfielder.”
If that was correct, why would United be making discreet inquiries on Baleba?
In spite of everything, the Brighton participant may be very a lot a box-to-box midfielder, somebody with vitality and endurance, who can sort out and go. Extra pertinently, he’s exactly the form of participant Amorim doesn’t have in his squad.
