What does possible the Ruben Amorim appointment mean to Manchester United?
Erik Ten Hag’s tenure as Manchester United came to an end after Sundays 2-1 defeat away against Julian Lopetegui’s West Ham. The performance and two key incidents of Dalot’s miss and the controversial penalty were out of Ten Hag’s control however his dismissal was the conclusion on what was a disappointing beginning to the season but arguably since the EFL cup final in February 2023. Two trophies in both of England’s domestic cup competitions represented significant highs for Erik’s reign which were contrasted with more poignant failures such as the 7-0 loss to Liverpool and the 8th placed finish in the league last season.
United’s new hierarchy had moved fast with reports emerging late Monday afternoon that links with Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon have only strengthen by Tuesday with Sporting themselves releasing a statement about Manchester United’s enquiry for the Portuguese manager. The times are also reporting that Manchester United have triggered his £8.3 million. But what exactly does this mean for the current Manchester United squad with Amorim looking to take control before the November international break.
First off, his Sporting Side line up in a 3-4-3 deploying a back 3 that are all comfortable progressing play averaging 452.5 accurate passes per match in the 23/24 season, but also Sporting’s defence kept 16 clean sheets and conceding the 18th lowest XG in the league with 27.2 across the full season. Defensively Amorim’s Sporting won the ball back in the final third on average 5.7 times, forcing quick turnovers and capitalizing through their main dynamic forward Victor Gyokeres. One of these defenders can push into the midfield but Amorim prefers the 3-2-5 formation to build up.
Sporting’s midfield throughout this season operated using 2 men, a destroyer winning ground duels and creating turnovers in midfield partnered with a more progressive passer to move the ball from the first to final third. Two wingbacks flank the midfield, holding the width allowing a narrow front 3 that occupy the oppositions defensive line. The full backs are involved with quick combinations with the midfield and defenders as the ball moves out wide and forward. A diamond between forward, wingback, midfielder and defender allow for positional changes with a long pass through to the 3rd man run of the wing back creates breaks forward for Sporting.
The forward 3 are fluid, a direct pass into the striker and a 3rd man run from either the midfielder, winger or wingback creates the majority of Sporting’s chances with the ball being cut back across the box to the attackers who flood forward. Across the whole of the 23/24 season Sporting had 1171 touches in the opposition box averaging 34.4 a game, compared to Manchester United who averaged 29.2 across the 23/24 season and this would be a clear improvement in the final third for a United side that lacks the chance creation but also the lethal finishing.
So where does this leave United? If Amorim was to stick to his 3-4-3 principles, and there is no reason as to why he shouldn’t, the back 3 would be Martinez, De Ligt and the injured Yoro. All 3 are comfortable in possession, de ligt is aerially strong so would more than likely be the central defender, Martinez would be the obvious choice to move into midfield progressing the ball up the pitch. Leny Yoro, who is still learning his trade would most likely occupy the right center half spot being the covering defender, the Frenchman is pacey a trait lacking in the other defenders but also more than capable on the ball to aid the first phase build up.
Kobbie Mainoo is an obvious profile that matches Amorim’s tactical style at Sporting Lisbon being the progressive passer and dribbler paired with Manuel Ugarte who is the ‘destroyer’ covering Mainoo but also starting the transition in the turnover phase. Ugarte lacks the ball playing capabilities so tactically this possible midfield would be easy to shut down by marking Mainoo making this an issue that Amorim will need to solve.
United possess obvious talent in the front three with dynamic forwards of Rashford, Hojlund and Garnacho being the obvious choices but captain Bruno Fernandes could also occupy one of these places in the forward line. There are 6 obvious candidates for 3 starting positions as Amad and summer signing Zirkzee are also contenders, this is a good issue and one that Amorim will have to conquer and understand his most effective forward three.
One area where United must improve for Amorim to succeed is in the wingback area, both Mazraoui and Dalot aren’t wingbacks and are used to inverting into the midfield helping with the 3-2-5 buildup. Harry Amass is United’s main prospect who works in the defensive channels and could possibly be molded into a wingback for Amorim’s system.
Overall, the potential managerial appointment of Ruben Amorim is a particularly exciting one, a manager with a distinct style of play which has been a stick to beat previous managers. But what is certain is that changes to United’s squad need to be swift, targets need to be identified and the margin for error is small with the effectiveness of his signings. Maybe it is time to fully embrace yet another batch of talented youngsters coming through Manchester United’s academy
