Ruben Amorim’s first half season for Manchester United was far from good enough, but there is full confidence that he can turn things around.
Arriving mid-season into an already struggling side, it was always going to be a difficult campaign for Ruben Amorim at the club.
When he took charge, Amorim warned Manchester United that a storm was coming and his prediction came true with a 15th place Premier League finish.
These struggles have not impacted the stance of the club over the hand picked head coach, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe backing Amorim to succeed at United in the long term, acknowledging the current squad was nowhere near good enough.
Over the months since his arrival, there have been questions surrounding Amorim’s tactics at United. However, from the inside, Bruno Fernandes has been impressed by Amorim.
Ahead of the new season, further support has been thrown at Amorim by Omar Berrada.
Ruben Amorim waves to Manchester United fans in Hong Kong.
Photo by Qin Zhicheng/VCG via Getty Images
Omar Berrada compares Ruben Amorim with Sir Matt Busby
Last month, Berrada compared Amorim with Pep Guardiola, and now, has spoken about the tactics and system which the head coach plays, with comparisons to two of football’s legends.
This came in Berrada’s interview with United We Stand which came out in the July edition of the magazine.
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“I would say to fans that Ruben is somebody who shares the fundamental principles of what the club has been, which is to play attacking, attractive football. So, whether you do it with a 3-4-3, 4-3-3, people are probably putting too much emphasis on the formation versus the idea that he wants to put in place.
“We want an attractive, attacking style of football – and you know this from your knowledge of Barcelona – but Johan Cruyff played with 3-4-3 and nobody said it was defensive. And I think this club and its history have also played with 3-4-3.
“I just read a book, ‘Football Taught by Sir Matt Busby’, and it talks about the inspiration that Matt Busby took from the Hungarian team of the 50s. And they played 3-4-3. So I wouldn’t spend too much time thinking about the formation and think more about the identity and the style of play that Ruben is trying to put in place.”
This is high praise for Amorim considering Sir Matt Busby is a legend at Old Trafford.
There is a similarity in that Amorim is United’s youngest manager since Busby, which also is a reminder to give the coach time.
Ruben Amorim has to make his 3-4-2-1 system work at Manchester United
When Erik ten Hag took charge of United, he pivoted from the style of football which got him hired almost immediately.
However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, Amorim has at times stubbornly kept his 3-4-2-1 formation.
This is because he has his vision of football and lives by it – otherwise is happy to die by it as well. Amorim was appointed for his system and fans were happy with this at the time.
But another season of bottom half obscurity won’t be tolerated at the club which makes it vital that he gets big decisions correct this summer and United find success early in the upcoming season.
If the rumoured signings are made, United will be far better placed to play the Amorim way, which makes the 3-4-2-1 a lot more palatable.