Amorim stresses his use of wing-backs is not revolutionary but there is no doubt his formation depends a lot on the performance of the man selected in the number nine role.
Whoever it is, he is expected to keep the opposition defence occupied and protect the ball long enough for support to arrive.
Amorim said after the Ipswich game that Marcus Rashford was not suited to the job. Hojlund’s performance against Bodo/Glimt was more encouraging, even if his manager told TNT the Dane was “dead” through tiredness at the end.
Addressing his overall display in the main press conference 20 minutes later, Amorim offered praise for the £72m signing from Atalanta, but also added a few demands.
“He has to improve more because sometimes he gives too many touches when he holds the ball, but he is very important when we are in a low block because he is the guy who connects in the transitions,” said Amorim.
“For the goals he was aggressive in the box. He is a quality player, scores the most difficult goals and did a great job today.”
The games come thick and fast for Amorim – United’s longest gap between fixtures to the end of the year is four days.
Should the club progress in the Carabao Cup, there will not be a bigger gap between games before the end of January.
But Amorim does give the impression he is enjoying himself, with United fans already creating a song for him and offering a warm reception on his way out of the tunnel and an enthusiastic one as he went back in and the game had been won.
“It was special because I came from Portugal and half of the stadium doesn’t know me,” he said.
“I have done nothing for this club yet but the way they support me from the beginning made me feel I am not alone now, that I am one of them. I hope not to disappoint them.”
