[4-4-2]: Sir Alex back as interim coach, Formation changed and Academy striker promoted- Manchester United’s predicted lineup against Everton as Sir Alex Ferguson is set to be called back this week

Ruben Amorim will be looking to hit the ground running as Manchester United boss in Sunday’s Premier League encounter at Ipswich Town.

The Portuguese coach was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at the start of November but saw out a notice period at Sporting CP, leaving Ruud van Nistelrooy to steer the ship before his arrival.

At the age of 39 years and 302 days on the day of the game, Amorim will be the youngest coach to take charge of a first-team game for the Red Devils since Wilf McGuinness back in August 1969 (31y, 288d).

One good omen for the new boss is United’s recent record against promoted opponents. Indeed, the Red Devils have emerged victorious on 17 of their past 19 such fixtures (D2) with their last defeat in this scenario a 2-1 setback at Watford in November 2021. Moreover, they have won nine on the bounce in away games at promoted sides – only Chelsea in top-flight history have racked up 10+ away wins against such opponents, racking up 21 from October 2002 to November 2008.

Several players in United’s ranks will be looking to impress the new boss, with Alejandro Garnacho firmly in that camp. The Argentine has 20 Premier League goal contributions (13 goals, seven assists), making him only the second non-British player to reach that tally for United before the age of 21 along with Cristiano Ronaldo (25 – 14 goals, 11 assists).

Ipswich may be considered the underdogs in this one, but boss Kieran McKenna was previously on the coaching staff at Old Trafford for five years and the Tractor Boys went into the international break on the high of earning a first league win of the campaign courtesy of a 2-1 triumph at Tottenham. They have not won back-to-back top-flight games since February 2002.

Still, they remain without a home win this season having played five at Portman Road this term. Five promoted teams have previously failed to win their opening six home matches of a Premier League campaign and all went on to be relegated (Swindon Town in 1993-94, Crystal Palace in 1997-98, Norwich City in 2004-05, Sunderland in 2005-06, and Burnley in 2023-24).

Part of the issue has been the fact Ipswich have been pretty shot-shy. They rank lowest in the Premier League this season for shots (108), shots on target (33), touches in the opposition’s box (199), and expected goals (10.2).

Indeed, the situation may be even bleaker were it not for the form of Liam Delap, who has scored six of Ipswich’s 12 Premier League goals this season. He is one of three players to have contributed at least half of his team’s Premier League goals in 2024-25 so far, alongside Manchester City ace Erling Haaland (55% – 12/22) and Nottingham Forest’s in-form striker Chris Wood (53% – 8/15).

United have had their share of injury issues this season, though Amorim may be able to call on summer signing Leny Yoro, who has recovered from the fractured metatarsal he suffered in pre-season, while Kobbie Mainoo is back in training after a thigh problem. Harry Maguire is still out, though, while Lisandro Martínez was sent home from Argentina duty over the international break with a back problem and is a doubt.

Ipswich, meanwhile, welcome Kalvin Phillips back from suspension for this clash. Jacob Greaves, ex-United defender Axel Tuanzebe and Jack Taylor could all come back into contention too.

Ipswich have lost four of their previous five Premier League games against Manchester United, drawing the other, and failed to score in each of those losses.

However, that should be caveated by the fact there has not been a top-flight meeting between these two teams since April 2002.

United were triumphant 1-0 at Portman Road on that occasion and they have only once in their league history won consecutive matches at Portman Road, doing so way back in the 1962-63 season.

Predicted Man Utd team to face Everton:
Onana, de Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund