Exactly one year has passed since Ruben Amorim took charge of his first Manchester United match — a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich — and the squad he named that day looks very different today. What began as a fresh start has evolved into a new project under Ineos ownership, but only six players from that opening XI remain at the club (loan returns excluded).
The starting XI Amorim picked at Portman Road
Amorim’s lineup for his debut match read as follows (4-3-3 / listed left-to-right):
- Goalkeeper: André Onana
- Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Diogo Dalot
- Midfielders: Christian Eriksen, Casemiro
- Forwards: Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford gave United an early dream start with a goal after two minutes, but Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson levelled the contest and the match finished 1-1.
Who from that XI is still at United?
Out of the matchday starters, the following six players remain registered with Manchester United (excluding loans and temporary departures):
- André Onana
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Matthijs de Ligt
- Diogo Dalot
- Christian Eriksen
- Marcus Rashford
Bench and squad notes
Amorim made use of all five substitutes as he chased a late winner. Players who came off the bench that day included:
- Luke Shaw
- Manuel Ugarte
- Joshua Zirkzee
- Rasmus Højlund
- Mason Mount
Unused substitutes that featured in the matchday squad were: Altay Bayındır, Kobbie Mainoo, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
What’s changed in 12 months?
Plenty. Transfers, loan moves, tactical tweaks and injuries have reshaped the squad. Amorim’s side looks more recognisable now as a team built around pressing, structure and a clearer recruitment strategy — yet the turnover highlights how quickly a squad can shift at the elite level.
If you want to compare that first XI with United’s current selection for upcoming fixtures, check our latest Man United team news and the fixture list.
Quick recap: Match facts
- Date of Amorim’s first game: 1 year ago (Portman Road, Ipswich 1–1 Man United)
- Early goal: Marcus Rashford (2′)
- Final score: Ipswich 1–1 Manchester United
Looking ahead: As United prepare for Monday’s home match against Everton, reflecting on that debut XI underlines both the progress made and the work still to do as Amorim enters his second year at Old Trafford.
Source
Match details and image credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images. Squad and substitutions referenced from the original matchday reports.
