Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim, one of the hottest young talents in the coaching ranks, is facing extreme fire. His preferred 3-4-2-1 formation isn’t exactly reaping the rewards he envisioned. Since taking join, Amorim has introduced his tactical change to all four Premier League games to this point. Sadly, that has been reflected in the team’s last place standings in the league table. His coaching strategy, which previously brought him success at Sporting CP, is now under scrutiny as he grapples with a stark decline in performance since his appointment.
Amorim has used a three-at-the-back formation in 31 Premier League matches since taking over at Manchester United. He was extremely successful with this approach, winning two Primeira Liga championships at Sporting CP. His win rate has plummeted this season, tanking from 77.2% to a mere 25.8%. This alarming drop has left Manchester United with only 31 points from 31 games and eight losses against just four wins.
Tactical Consistency and Its Consequences
Ruben Amorim has an obvious preference for the 3-4-2-1. On playing out of the press he has done this regularly and consistently used it in 119 of 189 league games during his time at Sporting CP. In Manchester, the same kind of approach hasn’t been enough to yield success. The team’s woes are only reinforced with glaring underproduction out of their most key players on the roster. For instance, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui, who were starters in a recent match against Manchester City, have collectively managed only one assist and no goals across 52 Premier League appearances.
Even as one of the midfield mainstays Bruno Fernandes would later admit they needed to be more intense, compact, and aggressive in their press and overall play. He emphasized the importance of being proactive:
“We need people to be very aggressive in the moment of pressure.” – Bruno Fernandes
This statement reveals a rather concerning trend within the team about their ability to perform in high-pressure moments, especially against elite teams.
Declining Performance Metrics
No matter what system Amorim leads with, Manchester United’s attack will look pretty bad. Despite spending over £200 million on new signings to bolster the squad, the team has only managed to score four goals in the first four matches of the season. Not being able to translate that investment into those goals suggests something more serious in terms of the team’s dynamics and tactical execution.
Amorim’s faith to his tactical philosophy has never wavered, even with the personal disappointments of the last weeks. He stated,
“When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.” – Ruben Amorim
Similarly, his belief in the system he’s put in place and commitment to upholding it drives his doggedness. This begs the question of whether this is really the best avenue forward for a floundering roster.
The Need for Tactical Evolution
The results under Amorim have led many to wonder if a change in tactics is necessary to revive Manchester United’s fortunes. Analysts note that beyond Crystal Palace and Wolves, no teams have consistently played a three-at-the-back in the Premier League. …as they’ve pursued his fellow leaders at Manchester United in recent years. Given the national trend, it might be a smart political strategy to make a tactical pivot. After 20 years, it’s pretty clear that the status quo doesn’t work.
With the game on the line, Amorim’s players know all too well what they lack. Fernandes noted that their midfield struggles stem from being outnumbered and overwhelmed in crucial moments:
“We need to get the moments of jumping because if not, the midfield gets every time overloaded.” – Bruno Fernandes
This recognition indicates that the changes have to come not just in approach, but in individual execution and teamwork.
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