Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has given a very positive review of Ruben Amorim's first training session as the club's new manager.
The Portuguese coach, who recently arrived from Sporting Lisbon, officially started his role last week. However, many of his players were away on international duty. Several players are still to return, but a group of stars - including Rashford - got to work at Carrington on Monday.
Only 10 first-team squad members were available on Monday, but several academy stars filled boosted numbers. Among those present were Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez.
Rashford expressed his approval after Amorim's first session in charge, simply writing on social media: "Top session today". Amorim's first match in charge will be against Ipswich Town at Portman Road this Sunday.
The young coach, who won two league titles with Sporting and led them to several other domestic cups, is considered one of Europe's most promising managers.
His style of play has added to his appeal, and the 39-year-old has made it clear that his immediate priority is to communicate his vision of how he wants the team to play.
Ahead of United's trip to Ipswich this weekend, he told the club’s website: “We know that we need time, but we have to win time. To win time is to win games. But the most important thing for me is identity. So since day one we will start with our identity.
“Of course we are going to prepare the games, but we will focus a lot in our game model. How to play, how to press, these small things, small details. You cannot go 100% on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. So if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, is identity."
Amorim has quite the task ahead with potentially only two full training sessions before getting his first taste of Premier League action. The anticipation is building ahead of his first match in charge, and he guarantees that his tactical approach will shine through. "You will see an idea. This I can guarantee," he assured.
Adapting to his expected three-at-the-back formation will be the squad's biggest challenge, especially since it's a tactic seldom employed on English soil. Antonio Conte had success with it during his time at Chelsea, yet the United players may find the switch challenging seeing that they won't have played that formation often during their careers.
