Amorim stresses that his use of full-backs is not revolutionary, but there is no doubt that his formation depends largely on the performance of the man selected in the number nine position.
Whoever it is, he will be expected to keep the opposing defense busy and protect the ball long enough for support to arrive.
Amorim said after the Ipswich game that Marcus Rashford was not right for the job. Hojlund’s performance against Bodo/Glimt was more encouraging, even if his manager told TNT that the Dane was “dead” from fatigue at the end.
Addressing his overall display in the main press conference 20 minutes later, Amorim praised the £72m signing from Atalanta but also added some 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 type that connects in transitions,” Amorim said.
“In the goals he was aggressive inside the area. He is a quality player, he scores the most difficult goals and he did a great job today.”
The games come quickly for Amorim: United’s longest gap between games until the end of the year is four days.
If the club advances in the Carabao Cup, there will not be a major gap between matches before the end of January.
But Amorim gives the impression that he is having fun, with the United fans already composing a song for him and offering him a warm reception as he exits the tunnel and an enthusiastic one when he re-enters and the game has already been won.
“It was special because I come from Portugal and half the stadium doesn’t know me,” he said.
“I haven’t done anything for this club yet, but the way they supported me from the beginning made me feel that now I am not alone, that I am one of them. I hope I don’t disappoint them.”
