Ruben Amorim’s Tactics: What Manchester United might look like.
13/11/2024 10:44:16
While Erik ten Hag struggled to implement a clearly defined playing style in his two and a half years in charge of Manchester United, new United boss Ruben Amorim steps into the historic role armed with one of the most recognised philosophies in the sport. The 39-year-old has become known to the wider footballing public through his success at Sporting, but also through the distinct style in which he has led the club to two Portuguese League titles in the last 4 seasons.
How does Amorim Setup?
Across the four years he oversaw Sporting, Amorim set up exclusively with a back three. 3-4-2-1 was his most used formation at Sporting with the former Benfica player also using a 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 setup on occasions. Amorim’s Sporting side were also characterised by their possession-based style and aggressive pressing, with his back three’s high defensive line another facet of Amorim’s tactics that United fans might see at Old Trafford over the coming years.
How Manchester United might line-up under Amorim
But how might the Portuguese Head Coach implement his distinct footballing philosophy on the Premier League with his new Manchester United squad. Below we will look at the options available to Amorim as he tries to impose his style of play on a club that has not a defined way of playing since the days of Louis van Gaal.
United’s Defence
Lisandro Martinez was one of the few bright sparks in the transfer market for Erik ten Hag during his reign at Old Trafford and the World Cup winner will arguably be a vital cog in the Ruben Amorim machine moving forward also. At Sporting Amorim used left sided centre back Goncalo Inacio as a fundamental part of his team’s build up from defence, threading passes through to the midfielders and attackers. Martinez possesses similar traits to the Portugal international, so will more than likely be asked to provide similar thrust for Amorim’s new side as they build from the back.
On the other side Lenny Yoro looks the most likely to take up the right sided centre back role, once he returns to full fitness. The 18-year-old has yet to play for his new club but playing in a back three alongside two centre backs and the security that might bring may be a good way for the former Lille defender to settle into his new team.
In the middle Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire would appear to be the natural choices for Amorim. Neither have the pace for one of the wider roles but do have the experience and leadership qualities needed for the central role in a back three.
What About the Midfield and Out Wide?
Manuel Ugarte has already benefitted from the management of Ruben Amorim at Sporting, starring for the Portuguese club before earning a big money move to PSG in 2023. The Uruguayan who was hardly used by Ten Hag after his summer move from Paris will surely find himself a major part of the new Head Coach’s plans as he looks to implement his style of play at Old Trafford. The ball winning abilities of Ugarte could fit into Amorim’s midfield nicely with the more ball playing Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo will have to work on the defensive side of his game, but his ball carrying capabilities and technical skills could bring a nice blend to United’s midfield.
Out wide is where it could get interesting under United’s new boss. At Sporting the wide players dropped back to make a back five when defending but were largely used as attacking weapons under Amorim. That opens the possibility of the new coach using the likes of Alejandro Garnacho or even the much-maligned Antony in a wing back/winger role, especially against sides that United should be looking to dominate the ball against.
"The 39-year-old former Portugal international has become known to the wider footballing public through his success at Sporting, but also through the distinct style in which he has led the Lisbon based club to two Portuguese League titles in the last 4 seasons."
In Attack
In the attacking area of the pitch Amorim likes to play with two attackers playing behind a centre forward, with Rasmus Hojlund looking to replicate what Viktor Gyokeres has achieved under Amorim at Sporting. The young Danish striker has often cut an isolated figure up front for United, and although he still has plenty to improve on it will be interesting to see if his output can get better under what United fans will hope is an upgraded offensive game plan.
Bruno Fernandes just missed out on the opportunity to work with Amorim at Sporting, leaving a few weeks before he took over in Lisbon, but the United skipper looks tailor made for one of those attacking roles behind the striker. In Amorim’s system Fernandes will probably work from the right with Garnacho or Rashford working from the left but if the system is working correctly for United much of their work will be done centrally in tandem with the striker.
Where Amorim puts the United captain adds even more intrigue to the tactics of Ruben Amorim ahead of his much-anticipated arrival on November 11th.
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✒️ Liam Lacey – Football and GAA Sports Expert
Liam Lacey is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA, horse races, and football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also).
Liam has written about All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and international football, offering expert opinions and match previews and predictions. Occasionally, even getting some right!
