Seen a lot of first XI predictions here and social media including most exotic ones. The true answer is: we don’t know. We don’t know the true potential of the players, their morale, ability/desire to learn, work ethics, etc. So I decided to sort our players in different categories.
First XI Nailed-on:
1.De Ligt; 2. Martinez (two best CBs); 3. Mazraoui (tactically excellent, versatile, very smart and technical player in great form), 4. Ugarte: not only because he is a former Amorim player - he have stamina and is ready to run 90 minutes; 5. Onana (obviously); 6. Bruno: many factors - captain, hard worker, creator - Amorim is not dogmatic, we will definitely find a place for a player like him.
Total: 6 out of 11
Strong candidates:
1. Mainoo - young, full of energy, carries the ball (!!!), would play higher and can thrive with additional protection (Ugarte + 3CBs)
2. Rashford - yes, I know he is in bad form. But even when he plays badly, Rashford creates something, he is transitioning from wide player to hybrid/inside role. His technique and passing are underrated because of bad form. If Amorim inspires him, we potentially have one of the best players to fulfill winger/10 role (AMCL).
3. Amad - making a huge claim for regular starter position recently. Has all qualities to become second winger/10 (AMCR).
4. Yoro - obvious.
Rest of the pack:
1. Garnacho - the problem with the Argentinian is poor decision making and average technique. He needs acres of space. Can become a valuable super-sub though against tired defenses.
2. Hojlund - very raw talent, will need to learn a lot. Very far from main striker role ala Gyokeres.
3. Zirkzee - not a 9. Has potential as playmaking attacker may be.
4. Dalot - could be in 2nd group based on the last season (still questionable), positionally and stylistically ideal for RWB; but his bad form seems to be something more than just a bad form. I don’t know, I really want him to do well under Amorim.
5. Maguire - who knows, experienced player, pretty good in defence, can pass, may become our Coates. Contract issues, too expensive.
Outsiders:
Casemiro, Eriksen, Evans (old, not long term, OK subs for this season), Lindelof: can be an OK sub this season, I personally don’t like him - is not a CB, gets humiliated by strong strikers on consistent basis.
Exotic
Antony. Funny that Antony can do very well what Amorim wants from his “opposite foot” wing back: keep the width, cross with left foot from deeper positions, and work rate. Antony ticks all the boxes. He is shit as attacking wing player, can’t dribble, poor decision making; but if tasked to do very limited set of actions, who knows?