Three Man Utd stars to benefit from Ruben Amorim appointment as Antony tipped for new role

Jaap Stam has named three players who could benefit the most when Ruben Amorim takes over as manager.

The Sporting CP boss will replace the following reports the Red Devils have - though he . Former Feyenoord and Reading chief Stam is well-educated on the 39-year-old tactics, leading him to believe certain figures already at Old Trafford could revel in the change.

Stam, 52, highlighted Amorim's preference to play with three centre-backs and suggested United are well-equipped to adapt in that sense. However, another focal point under the new regime will be Amorim's selections out wide, with the wing-backs tipped to excel.

"[Diogo] Dalot, I think, is an ideal player who can play as a wing-back because he's got the pace, the stamina. He's got the quality on the ball as well," Stam told Mirror Sport, in partnership with . "On the left side, you can have [Luke] Shaw - if he's fit - then he would be the ideal player to play there."

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It's a sizeable "if" concerning the fitness of Shaw, who is yet to feature this season and made just 15 appearances last term as he contended with a raft of injuries. United also have Tyrell Malacia and summer signing Noussair Mazraoui as options on the left side of defence, though none perhaps offer the same ceiling as Shaw when free of injury.

But Stam threw another curveball option into the conversation - one that could save United a sum in the tens of millions. That's how much the club stands to lose depending on the fate of faltering winger Antony, whose future at Old Trafford arguably stands on the shakiest ground of any first-team regular.

It would take a minor miracle for the Red Devils to recoup the £85m they invested in the player, who spent two years under Ten Hag at before following him to English shores. But while his prospects as part of United's front line may appear bleak, Stam suggested a reinvention under the next manager could lead to a revival.

"Antony has been struggling since he joined United," said the Dutchman when asked about Antony's future now that his manager of the past four years has departed. "It's a pity for United and him as well, because the boy gets the opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the , and he can't produce what he's been doing in Holland.

"We all know the is 10 times more difficult than playing in Holland. But it's fair to him that he's trying, and he needs to take his opportunity with the new manager coming in - and maybe he can even use him as a wing-back. He's tracking back, and he can go forward as well. You never know; a new manager might have certain ideas."

Many might doubt Antony's credentials as a wing-back given the Brazilian has been found wanting defensively in the past. That being said, Ten Hag did deploy his charge as a left-back on occasion - most notably against towards the end of last season - and his lack of attacking output may not attract as much scrutiny if he found a new home closer to the back line.

Portugal international Dalot, 25, has emerged as an important figure at Old Trafford in recent years, owing to his adaptability playing on both sides of the defence. And it stands to reason that Amorim may also lean on the former Porto prospect, who is well-regarded for his tendency to contribute in attack.

While Ten Hag's outlay on Dutch talents and those familiar with his strategy may leave United in an awkward position, Stam is clearly of the belief those investments need not go to waste. Not only that but there are some at United who may yet excel under Amorim more than they ever did while his predecessor was in charge.

Jaap Stam was speaking on behalf of BetMGM. Play the new £1million Golden Goals game this season by correctly predicting Premier League scores. BeGambleAware 18+.

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