Ruben Amorim will become Manchester United manager on November 11 – so we’ve simulated his first season at Old Trafford using the latest edition of Football Manager.
United are currently in 13th place in the Premier League, having picked up just 12 points from their 10 games thus far.
Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has one league game left in charge, at home to Leicester, before Amorim takes over the reins.
United could go as high as ninth with a win, but would need three points and goal difference to be on their side as well as Fulham, Bournemouth and Newcastle ahead of them to all lose.
With just nine goals to their name this season, another area that Amorim needs to improve is in attack – and he will hope to do just that with his 3-4-3 formation.
In the world of Football Manager, it is predicted that Amorim will opt with a three-defender formation, but it will be noticeably more defensive than what we might see in real life at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s best XI as Manchester United manager – Image: Football Manager
Most notably, captain Bruno Fernandes is largely deployed on the right side of attack, with Marcus Rashford narrowly getting the nod as striker in United‘s best XI ahead of Rasmus Hojlund.
Elsewhere, Amorim’s preferred defensive trio appears to be Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof, though Lisandro Martinez’s average rating gets him in the best XI ahead of Maguire.
As for Leny Yoro, he makes just 11 starts in all competitions – but Luke Shaw makes 37 after recovering from injury.
In terms of transfers, Amorim does bring a Sporting player with him to Old Trafford – but it’s not Viktor Gyokeres.
Instead, he signs left-footed centre-back Goncalo Inacio, who does play 10 games and registers three assists from January onwards.
He also brings in wing-back Dominik Schmid from Basel, and 20-year-old FC Tokyo midfielder Kota Tawaratsumida.
On the outgoings front, Antony is the only major departure as he is loaned out to Newcastle on January deadline day.
Ruben Amorim’s transfers as Man Utd manager – Image: Football Manager
But did Amorim inspire United on the pitch? The short answer, effectively, is no.
United miss out on European qualification entirely under his stewardship, finishing eighth. Amorim is promptly sacked at the end of the season.
United finish eighth under Amorim and he is sacked after six months in charge – Image: Football Manager
The Red Devils were one point behind seventh-placed West Ham, who would have secured Conference League qualification in usual circumstances.
But Everton – yes, they finally win a trophy in the virtual world – lift the FA Cup instead to earn Europa League qualification, meaning sixth-placed Newcastle, who were eight points ahead of United, drop into the Conference League.
Where do you think Manchester United will finish this season under Ruben Amorim? Let us know in the comments.