Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United head coach, has declared that he will not deviate from his preferred 3-4-3 formation, even if "the Pope" himself requested it. This unwavering stance comes amidst criticism of United's poor start to the season, which has seen them garner only four points from four league games, suffer an early exit from the Carabao Cup, and deliver generally underwhelming performances.
Amorim's steadfastness has drawn scrutiny, with some questioning his rigid adherence to a single system. Since his appointment last November, United have managed to win only eight of 31 Premier League games, a statistic that places him among the lowest-performing United managers since World War II. The team's current form marks their worst start to a Premier League season in 33 years.
Despite the mounting pressure, Amorim remains resolute. He has stated that he intends to stick with his chosen formation. Amorim did concede that there was a lack of service to the striker in their recent 3-0 loss to Manchester City. He also defended his decision to deploy Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role, stating his desire for Fernandes to have more possession and control of the game.
Amorim's commitment to his system was further reinforced after a meeting with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Despite the team's struggles, Ratcliffe has publicly supported Amorim, even joking about offering him a new contract. Amorim clarified that while he will not abandon his core formation, he anticipates an evolution of the system over time. He expressed concern that abruptly changing the formation under pressure would negatively impact the players' perception of him.
Tactical analysis suggests that Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation can be flexible, capable of morphing into variations such as 4-3-3, 5-2-3, 4-2-4, or 3-2-5. This adaptability hinges on a fluid attack and a structured approach to maintaining possession. The system emphasizes creating numerical advantages in key areas, exploiting pockets of space, and utilizing overlapping runs. Defensively, Amorim's teams typically employ a mid-block coupled with a passive high press, aiming to force opponents to the flanks.
However, some argue that Amorim's tactical approach at Manchester United has not yet translated into a distinct playing style or "philosophy". They point to a lack of fluidity in the final third, with wingers not exchanging enough passes with the center-forward. Instead, the team often relies on sporadic counter-attacks and long balls, a tactic reminiscent of previous managerial regimes.
Despite the criticisms and the team's underwhelming results, Amorim remains confident in his vision and has the backing of key figures within the club. He hopes to be given the time and opportunity to implement his ideas fully and guide Manchester United towards a more successful future.
