Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has come under criticism for his tactical approach throughout his tenure so far
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim’s tactics have long been under intense scrutiny due to performances on the pitch, but it was one incident in particular that prompted the powers that be to take action this season.
The Red Devils appointed Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor in November 2024, but it has been far from a straightforward spell at Old Trafford for the Portuguese coach. United ended the 2024/25 campaign 15th in the Premier League standings, while they were also beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final.
This season has offered a bit more positivity, although they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by Grimsby Town back in August. That said, United are currently sixth in the league and just three points off the top four, making Champions League qualification a realistic target this term.
While results have taken something of a positive turn, performances have still been an ever-present concern. Amorim has been a staunch defender of his 3-4-3 system, which he also used at Sporting CP, but there was a drastic switch in approach last month when United hosted Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
On that occasion, Amorim adopted a more flexible system in the hope of resolving some of the defensive issues his side were facing. Although the points were shared in a dramatic 4-4 draw, the United head coach was ultimately praised for his tactical flexibility, which included a handful astute in-game changes.
However, if reports are to be believed, the eventual change in approach was the result of United’s hierarchy believing the team needed to switch to a less predictable tactical set-up, sparked by comments from opponents. A report this weekend from the Daily Mail explains how a 1-1 draw against Fulham back in August, in which Amorim’s men took the lead but conceded a late equaliser, left those above feeling irritated.
Comments from Marco Silva and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi post-match were a glaring cause for concern for United’s leadership, including their director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who reportedly shared the quotes in a WhatsApp group with other members of the team.
“We knew how they defend and we know they like to squeeze from the back five,” the Fulham boss explained at the time. “And if you don’t give bodies for them to squeeze from the back five you can create superiority in the middle.
“We know they play with two in the middle, we tried to overload with our three plus Alex [Iwobi]. It was as simple as that.”
Iwobi then added in a TV interview: “We knew that we would be able to get behind their two midfielders and that their centre backs would want to jump – we exploited that today.”
United and Amorim stuck with the four-at-the-back approach when they narrowly beat Newcastle 1-0 on Boxing Day, but reverted to old ways a few days later in a dismal 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-league Wolves. The Red Devils are next in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to face bitter rivals Leeds United.
Then comes an away trip to Burnley and a clash with Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup. But all roads lead to the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on January 17.
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