Manchester United are struggling to get it right. There could be one logical change Ruben Amorim won’t consider.
Two games into the season, Manchester United fans are trying not to panic, with the team gaining just one point. Only one goal has been scored, and this was an own goal.
There has been some bad luck. United have missed a penalty and hit the woodwork twice. But it’s clear the team is still a long way off.
More pertinently, this is not just about two games. It’s an extension of Ruben Amorim’s troubles in 2024/25.
You could argue all that should be thrown aside. But it really is tough when there is a lack of progression, in terms of results at least.
An upcoming fixture against Burnley serves as a banana-skin waiting to be slipped on, before United travel to face City.
One thing we do know is that Ruben Amorim won’t change his ways and move away from his 3-4-2-1 formation. But perhaps he should?
Ruben Amorim with his arms outstretched
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Casemiro consoles a dejected Bruno Fernandes
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
How United would look now in 4-3-3
Manchester United have a different squad to last season, with new signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all brought in.
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United fans have not had a chance to see how this ‘new’ squad would look in a 4-3-3 formation, and with Ruben Amorim’s dedication to his current system, we might never get the chance.
We have mocked up how United would look in this system, with Benjamin Sesko leading the line, and Bryan Mbeumo on the right wing.
Matheus Cunha is not a perfect fit for the left wing, but he is smart enough to make it work, and could switch during games with Bruno Fernandes, now part of a three-man midfield.
Having three midfielders would allow Kobbie Mainoo to play alongside Fernandes and Casemiro. It’s the system where he broke through under Erik ten Hag.
United have the defensive options to easily pull off a back four, with Noussair Mazraoui the preferable option at right-back. Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt would be the best pairing in central defence, while Patrick Dorgu would compete with Luke Shaw at left-back.
Amad would lose out with this formation, but there would likely be more opportunities for him as a substitute than Mainoo is currently finding in his situation.
And given the proven simplicity of this system, there is a strong chance United would win more games.
Whisper it too – if he is not sold, there might even be a future for Alejandro Garnacho, if wingers are back in use.
Possible Man Utd line-up
Possible Man Utd line-up
Amorim will go out his way, win or lose
Despite the temptation or dare we say, logic, of using a 4-3-3, Ruben Amorim won’t be changing.
Amorim constantly snapped back at suggestions to alter his system for a more pragmatic approach last season, even on a short-term basis.
He was determined to do things his own way, win or lose. Don’t expect him to alter this approach, no matter how bad it might get.
Amorim has just spent a full pre-season attempting to drill his system into his players. And he will continue to do so. It’s also worth remembering the attack is all-new, and they have to develop chemistry together, and with the rest of the squad.
That does not happen overnight. New striker Benjamin Sesko has not even started a game yet.
But the brutal fear is, if it ultimately does not work out with Amorim, and he goes down swinging his way, a new manager will inherit a squad that may simply be better suited to 4-3-3 after all.