08/11/2024
Over a decade has elapsed since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from Manchester United, and the club has wrestled to find a managerial figure capable of steadying its course. Thus, I hold a sincere hope that Ruben Amorim, a tactician with an eye for aesthetics and effectiveness, can finally construct something lasting at Old Trafford. At Sporting CP, his sides played with both flair and purpose; may Manchester United not, as it has so often done with the likes of Moyes, van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, Rangnick, and Ten Hag, transform promise into another chapter of disappointment.
Upon being announced as the incoming Manchester United manager, Amorim humbly acknowledged the contrasts awaiting him, remarking, “We cannot transport one reality to another,” after his Sporting Lisbon side triumphed over Manchester City with an emphatic 4-1 in the Champions League. “United cannot play the way [Sporting] play — they cannot be so defensive… I’ll be living in a different world. We’ll have to start from a different point.”
In referring to his defensive approach against City, Amorim offered a quiet reminder that the managerial ethos is not a one-size-fits-all philosophy; managers do not expect their previous systems to serve as turnkey solutions for new sides, no matter the formation or style. Amorim’s commitment to a three-man defence is resolute, making him the rare Premier League arrival unyielding in his attachment to a particular tactical blueprint. Even Antonio Conte, whose adoption of a 3-4-3 system sparked a tactical shift in the Premier League, was initially known as a proponent of 4-2-4 in his formative years coaching in Italy.
Conte’s adaptation stemmed from Juventus’ defensive assets — Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli — which led to similar tactics for the Italian national team. When he took charge at Chelsea, he initially utilised a 4-3-3, only converting to his renowned 3-4-3 after a dismal first-half showing against Arsenal. Yet, unlike Conte, whose structural shift catalysed a title-winning campaign, Amorim appears unwavering in his tactical convictions. His preference for a three-man defence dates to his early managerial career at Casa Pia, when, following consecutive defeats, he adopted the 3-4-3, vowing to Carlos Pires, the sporting director, that this system offered greater balance and would anchor his teams moving forward. He has adhered to it steadfastly, even at Sporting.
Such inflexibility is rare among top managers. Jurgen Klopp, for instance, shifted from his 4-2-3-1 preference at Borussia Dortmund to a 4-3-3 at Liverpool, while Pep Guardiola, long associated with Barcelona’s 4-3-3, has shown much greater flexibility at Bayern and City. While managers are often lauded for their philosophical tenets, they frequently adapt to the talent within their squads. A system based on a three-man defence, however, is a more profound tactical choice, affecting every facet of play from pressing to build-up and defensive structure.
In Amorim’s case, his unbroken allegiance to the back three poses questions about United’s readiness. Neither Dalot nor Mazraoui, United’s main full-backs this season, seems suited to stretching play down the flanks. Meanwhile, Shaw’s previous experience as a left wing-back for England may offer some promise, yet few in United’s squad appear naturally inclined towards such a system.
Amorim’s success at Sporting relied on a structure where one of his central midfielders advanced into a No 10 role, a dynamic that maximised Sporting’s dominance in possession but left them vulnerable to counter-attacks. While the Portuguese league allowed Amorim’s teams to control matches against lower-calibre opposition, the Premier League’s intensity may expose structural weaknesses. It recalls André Villas-Boas’ struggles to adapt Porto’s high defensive line to Chelsea’s pressing English game, a stark reminder of the tactical compromises required when transitioning from Portugal to England.
For Amorim, these challenges are compounded by United’s recent lack of tactical cohesion. United’s roster scarcely mirrors the attributes required for a three-man defence, and 21st Group research highlights that of the current squad, only Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Manuel Ugarte have notable experience in a similar system. Compromise seems inevitable, whether in terms of tactical adjustments or personnel alignment, and the timing of Amorim’s appointment, postponed until autumn, further complicates an already challenging mid-season transition.
Manchester United’s hierarchy should have acted decisively in the summer rather than resorting to a reactive appointment in autumn. With Amorim’s arrival, the club has staked its future on a manager’s vision that may yet rejuvenate its standing, though success will demand a monumental blending of talent, tactical finesse, and perhaps, some strategic flexibility.