Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils remain 13th in the league standings, but they are now within four points behind the guaranteed Champions League spots.
The game was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final one as interim manager and Ruben Amorim is expected to formally take control this week.
The Portuguese tactician has yet to receive his working visa. Once that happens, he can start working with some of the first-team squad.
Amorim has already dropped a major hint that he is going to play with a 3-4-3 formation which he has been familiar with at Sporting CP.
The 39-year-old said (via The Athletic): “I know how I am going to play in the beginning, because you have to start with a structure that you know.
“Then you will adapt with the players that you have, some injuries, or no injuries, what kind of players have the abilities to defend, attack, I will discover that in the next few weeks.
“We don’t have a lot of time to train, so I have to show something that I know very well. You can take whatever you want from that.”
Amorim will be arriving at United with a huge reputation. The Portuguese guided Sporting to their maiden Primeira Liga title after 19 years.
The Lisbon giants have continued to excel this season. They are unbeaten in 17 games, and their form has been extraordinary in all competitions.
Sporting have won each of their 11 league outings with 39 goals scored. They recently thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.
Amorim will need time to replicate those results at United. The players have to adapt to the added intensity while there will be a tactical switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
United have never operated with regular wing-backs thus far, and it remains to be seen whether the wingers are capable of playing with extra defensive duties.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have shown reluctance to track back in the past, and such things may not be entertained under Amorim.
Amorim is anticipated to make his managerial debut for the Red Devils when they visit Ipswich Town on November 24.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.