Ruben Amorim’s tactical system at Manchester United could finally begin to take serious shape with the role that one key player could play for him next season.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager wasted no time in instilling his philosophy and rolling out his blueprint at Old Trafford after he left Sporting CP.
Ruben Amorim used his tactical system at United in the 2024-25 campaign and the Red Devils immediately shifted to using a three-man backline for matches.
The United head coach’s tactics yielded mixed results last season, with the Red Devils unable to turn around their Premier League form under Amorim.
However, Amorim did find success in the Europa League in the 2024-25 season before United lost 1-0 to Tottenham in the 2025 final in Bilbao in May.
The ex-Sporting CP boss, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2024, stuck with his system amid the fierce criticism and suggestions that he should pivot from his tactics.
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is present during the official training at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 27, 2025. Manchester United and ASEAN All-Stars are set to face off for the Maybank Challenge Cup during their post-season friendly trip to Asia.
Photo by Hari Anggara/NurPhoto via Getty Images
What Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim can learn from Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti over Matheus Cunha’s role in his system
The Red Devils wasted no time in making their first major signing for Ruben Amorim in the summer transfer window after the Premier League club’s poor season.
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Manchester United were linked with Matheus Cunha and the Red Devils triggered the Brazilian attacker’s £62.5m release clause in his Wolves contract earlier this month.
Matheus Cunha inked a five-year deal with United and the 26-year-old Brazil forward impressed for Wolves during the 2024-25 campaign at the Molineux.
The United summer signing has been on international duty with Brazil and Cunha impressed United fans with his performance against Paraguay on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti deployed Cunha behind Vinicius Junior, who was leading the frontline, and United’s prized £62.5m acquisition picked up a superb assist.
Speaking after Brazil’s 1-0 win at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Carlo Ancelotti singled out the different roles that Cunha is capable of playing in attack.
“Today, Cunha was not a central striker; he was an attacking midfielder,” he said, as per Yalla Shoot.
“We benefited from the speed of Vinicius, Martinelli, and Raphinha to attack the wings, and Cunha played as a playmaker.
“Against Ecuador, Cunha did not play, while Gerson did. I preferred three players in midfield to add more solidity to the defence.”
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Why Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim has the perfect position for Matheus Cunha in his system after Wolves transfer
Matheus Cunha will likely be deployed as the left-sided No 10 in Amorim’s tactical system and the Brazil international will add much-needed flair to United.
The Red Devils struggled in the final third last season, while Cunha was a key player for Wolves and he scored 17 times and picked up six assists in 36 matches.
Cunha’s ability to be deployed as a playmaker and attacking midfielder, as Carlo Ancelotti highlighted, are invaluable for Amorim’s system to work effectively.
The Brazil forward does not necessarily need to be the lone striker in the United tactical system, but he can play there if he is needed, showing his versatility.
But the key for Amorim is the additional playmaking threat and attacking firepower that Cunha can now offer for United from the left side as one of the two No 10s.