Ruben Amorim already made his pick between two Man Utd players who don’t fit together

 Ruben Amorim is using pre-season to put his stamp on Manchester United, working through tactical questions, and it looks like he may have found an answer to a key one during the Everton match.

While the 2-2 draw with Everton meant the team missed out on a perfect record from their US tour, there were still plenty of positives to take away.

In all three matches against Premier League opposition, United looked the better side each time.

And in the latest game, Amorim may have found a solution to a tactical issue that he admitted gave him trouble last season.

Ruben Amorim’s dilemma on the centre-back trio

Ironically, with all the areas Manchester United need to address – up front, in midfield, and between the posts – one of Ruben Amorim’s biggest questions has been in defence.

While Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, and Luke Shaw are options for the wider centre-back roles, it came down to a choice between Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt for the central spot.

Amorim’s core principles focus on pressing high, controlling possession in the opponent’s half, and winning individual battles when their defensive shape is broken.

He realised last season that having both Maguire and De Ligt on the pitch didn’t quite fit those principles.

Both players struggle when tracking back towards their own goal, and their limited pace is further exposed by a high defensive line. This vulnerability is particularly evident against counter-attacking teams.

Amorim needs defenders who can play aggressively in wider positions. Starting both Maguire and De Ligt would mean pushing one of them out wide – an area to which neither is particularly suited.

The Everton match seemed to confirm what has become clear over four pre-season games: Amorim has made his decision.

Ruben Amorim has picked Matthijs de Ligt over Harry Maguire

De Ligt featured for 88 minutes against Everton, which is a strong sign that he will be the one to anchor the back three this season.

This isn’t a slight on Maguire, who’s looked sharp in pre-season. But with his ongoing injury problems and age, it’s understandable why the Portuguese coach might lean towards the Dutchman.

Maguire is also out of contract at the end of the year. At 32, it’s unlikely United will offer him another deal on his current terms.

De Ligt, on the other hand, has time to grow into a leadership role now that he has adjusted to life in England.

The decision between them isn’t just about who starts now. It could shape United’s defence for years to come.