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The departure of a head coach means potential changes for the players left behind.

Ruben Amorim didn’t so much have favourites at Manchester United but there were certainly players he did not favour. They will now be looking to prove their worth to first Darren Fletcher, as interim manager, and then whoever takes control of the first team for the remainder of the season.

The Athletic looks at the winners and potential losers from Amorim’s sudden departure.

WinnersKobbie Mainoo

The most obvious one. It would be wrong to say Amorim completely froze out the England midfielder but Mainoo’s chances as a starter were limited. It prompted Mainoo to try to seek a loan move away from the club.

That was not because Amorim disliked the player — although he had wanted more from him, and had concerns over his physicality — but more that he used Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role to ensure there was more creativity alongside Casemiro, who had won his way back into the team last season.

Mainoo has played just 221 Premier League minutes this season and started no games other than the Carabao Cup defeat by Grimsby. Last term, he made 13 league starts under Amorim and two in the FA Cup, but managed just one in the Europa League, a competition United prioritised in the final stages of the season. It was clear Amorim was using him as the rotational player in the league while saving others for Europe.

Mainoo’s form hardly presented a compelling case for him to start more regularly, and he also had injury problems. But when Amorim decided in the summer to opt for a midfield of Casemiro and Fernandes regularly, then chances were going to be limited with just one game a week.

He was expected to start against Aston Villa last month with Casemiro suspended, but he picked up a calf injury in the final moments of training the day before and he is still recovering from that.

If Fletcher goes to a 4-3-3 — which is a formation sporting director Jason Wilcox favours — or a 4-2-3-1, then Mainoo must have a significantly better chance of starting. Fernandes would stay in the midfield three if it were the former formation or push forward in the latter into a No 10 role.

Mainoo hasn’t given up going to the World Cup this summer but it would take a huge turnaround for him to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans, given the quality the England manager has in midfield. For now, it would be enough to play some football.

Joshua Zirkzee

Another player who fell out of favour this season under Amorim.

Zirkzee struggled with injury during pre-season after fighting to get fit for last season’s Europa League final. There is interest from Roma in him this window, as reported by The Athletic, and the Netherlands international was hoping that when other first-team stars return from AFCON, his move to Italy could be given the green light.

Those plans will be re-evaluated with the change in head coach, although Zirkzee will still be behind Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order for the No 9 position and Fernandes for a No 10 spot.

He has started four games in the league and played over 400 minutes, so he was far from dismissed by Amorim and benefited from Sesko’s injuries and late arrival in the summer. But there were games when Matheus Cunha was preferred in the No 9 position, which sparked Zirkzee’s concern, especially as he lost his place in the Netherlands squad.

Known to be close to several academy players, including Chido Obi, United want to keep him this window for his versatility, and he may get more trust from Fletcher.

Joshua Zirkzee is wanted by Roma (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

Academy players

Amorim was clearly hesitant to use some of the club’s academy products. As reported by The Athletic, there was some concern within United over his attitude to the club’s youth system, although Amorim would doubtless counter by saying the physicality of the Premier League and the nature of United’s position during his tenure were hardly conducive to blooding young talent.

United have a crop of talented youngsters but as was seen with 18-year-old midfielder Jack Fletcher’s recent appearances, the step up to Premier League football is big.

The Portuguese has put his faith in young players such as Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu, but those were not academy products. Last season, Harry Amass and Chido Obi got minutes, and Tyler Fredricson has also had opportunities.

Why 18-year-old attacker Shea Lacey wasn’t brought on for his debut when United were beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 away in December was puzzling, especially as he got his debut at Villa Park a couple of weeks later, when United were trailing in a much tougher game.

Fletcher’s appearances have come against Villa, Newcastle and Wolves when United were in difficult moments, which does not make for the best time to play academy players. The same was true with Bendito Mantato, the 17-year-old, who was put on late against Wolves at Old Trafford last week as United chased a winner.

It’s nothing new at United to gamble with young players when games are in precarious positions. It’s something Sir Alex Ferguson made a habit of.

Will Fletcher Snr turn to youth, given that he works within the academy setup? He will certainly know a lot about their characteristics, so he may have a better grasp of when to introduce them.

Jack Fletcher has been blooded by Manchester United (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

LosersAmad

If Mainoo does return to United’s midfield, then someone is going to have to drop out of the team further forward, given the shape change. It is not going to be Fernandes, so Amad’s position may come under scrutiny.

Amad was not a regular under Erik ten Hag and was contemplating his future at the club before he signed a new contract last January after Amorim arrived.

He prospered in a wing-back role under the Portuguese. That was down to his ability to get up and down the flank, with concerns over his defensive abilities and height in defending crosses being overlooked because of the attacking threat he offers.

There is no doubt his best position is on the right wing, but United significantly invested £65million in Bryan Mbeumo last summer and that is also his preferred side, with Cunha preferring to operate on the left.

Sesko would be expected to play as the No 9 with Fernandes behind him. So, where will that leave Amad?

United do need depth, despite largely playing just one game a week, and injuries may offer chances, but someone will be disappointed by a formation change — and it could be Amad.

Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro 

If United move away from three at the back, then a central defender will lose their spot.

It is one area on the pitch United are well-stocked, with Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven all natural centre-backs. Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw have also impressed playing in a central three.

Now it is expected to be just two in central defence. De Ligt, when fit, would be the favourite to start, with Martinez also potentially ahead of Maguire. Yoro, who has struggled with form this season, and Heaven may have to drop to the bench, given they are younger and less experienced.

De Ligt and Maguire are closing in on returns from injury, so Yoro and Heaven must use the next couple of weeks to prove they should not make way.

Patrick Dorgu

Dorgu has blown hot and cold since his arrival last January. Brought in as a wing-back for Amorim’s system, where will he fit now?

There’s competition for the full-back slots, should Shaw move back to playing on the left regularly and Diogo Dalot on the right. There is a chance for Dorgu to play further forward during AFCON, as he did against Leeds on Sunday, because United lack numbers in attacking positions.

But when Fletcher has a full squad available, Dorgu will have to force Dalot or Shaw out of the team.