Manchester United duo warned they could suffer from Ruben Amorim appointment

Former Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen fears Christian Eriksen and Casemiro could be victims of Ruben Amorim's appointment at Old Trafford.

The new United head coach is expected to implement a 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford, meaning the number of midfield slots within the starting XI are at risk of being decreased.

United played with a 4-3-3 for the vast majority of Erik ten Hag's tenure, meaning three central-midfielders were almost always included in the Dutchman's thinking.

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However, Amorim, who will take charge for the first time when United travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town on Sunday, is poised to implement a new plan. Manuel Ugarte, who worked with Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, is expected to be a key figure within his plans, likewise Kobbie Mainoo.

United, when everyone is fit, are well-stocked in midfield, meaning Casemiro and Eriksen, who will both turn 33 in February, are at risk of being shoved down the pecking order, according to Meulensteen.

Meulensteen, speaking to Betway, said: "In the midfield, you would think that maybe Casemiro and Eriksen would lose out because, obviously you need energy and as well as that, the ability to find the passes between the lines and in the pockets.

"However, this system may see all players struggle in certain positions because it is something different than what Ten Hag was playing, who was opting more for a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 so it is interesting to see how he could go about that with this group of players."

Eriksen, whose contract is up at the end of the season, has resurrected his United career this season, making almost half of the number of appearances he made in the whole of last term already. He has also registered seven direct goal contributions, scoring three and creating four.

Casemiro, too, has also bounced back well from being substituted at half-time against Liverpool at the very start of September. He has made 16 appearances thus far this season, scoring three goals.