In Tray facing new Man Utd boss as club move closer to securing Ruben Amorim

Erik ten Hag left the role of manager on Monday after a poor start to the season.

Sporting’s head coach Ruben Amorim gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Sporting CP at Philips stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands earlier this month

Manchester United look to be closing in on appointing Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as their new boss after sacking Erik ten Hag.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what the Portuguese will have to get to grips with at Old Trafford.

Sort out form

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, left, and Amad Diallo react to defeat at West Ham — United’s form has left a lot to be desired (Nick Potts/PA)

It is the most obvious place to start, but Amorim will be expected to turn results around quickly. Ten Hag was ultimately fired because he was simply not winning enough games and the new man must hit the ground running. He will inherit a side 14th in the Premier League after four defeats from their opening nine games and struggling in the Europa League.

Provide a clear identity

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, centre left, reacts on the touchline after a penalty is awarded to West Ham — Frustration regularly set in for Erik ten Hag and his team (John Walton/PA)

A big criticism during the Ten Hag era was that there was no identity to his United side and it was a mystery as to how they would set up from one game to the next. The new manager must change that and provide a team with an obvious personality and defined character – preferably one that attacks and plays on the front foot.

Order some shooting practice

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, second right, has a close-range shot saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario — United’s forwards have struggled to find the net (Martin Rickett/PA)

Ten Hag will have cleared out his office on Monday thinking about what could have been had his players scored some of their first-half chances at West Ham on Sunday. That has been United’s biggest Achilles heel so far as they have failed to make their dominance count in games. Only Southampton and Crystal Palace have scored fewer than them in the Premier League so far, so the new manager must find a way for his players to be more clinical.

Re-engage fans

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds in front of a largely empty stand at Old Trafford following this season's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool — Erik ten Hag applauds the remaining fans as Old Trafford quickly empties at the end of this season’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool (Nick Potts/PA)

Old Trafford has been beset with an air of toxicity since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. Although Jose Mourinho had brief success, trouble never seemed far away. Only heroic feats as a player and an amazing spell as interim saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from fierce criticism. The new manager has to turn around the atmosphere at the club and have everyone pulling in the same direction.