Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach at Sporting Lisbon earned him a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches.
Sporting Lisbon’s dominance in Portugal under Ruben Amorim is the main reason Ineos picked him out for the Manchester United head coach role last November.
Amorim won Sporting’s first league title in 19 years and transformed the Lisbon outfit into the leading side in Portugal.
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His record with youth players also suited United’s culture. Amorim awarded 27 debuts to academy stars while at Sporting.
Amorim brought his 3-4-2-1 shape to United, and suffered through his first season trying to help players adapt to his tactical demands. This season, there have been huge signs of improvement, but also a few noticeable tweaks to his setup.
Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United at the Molineux in 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim has given up on Man United pressing
At United, Amorim has urged players to control matches by dominating possession, rather than rely on counter-attacks like under his predecessors.
That was a staple of his tactical setup at Sporting, where his players would often starve the opposition of time on the ball. Despite Amorim sticking stubbornly to his formation, he has made some sacrifices within his tactical approach.
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As per Coaches Voice, Amorim’s Sporting side were one of the most intense off-the-ball pressers of any team in Europe. Not only were the front three given license to press, but the wing-backs in Amorim’s system would “aggressively press” to try and force a turnover.
At United, Amorim has turned away from this strategy. As per Opta stats, United rank 10th in the Premier League for high turnovers.
In order to better protect his back five, Amorim is happy for his players to close up gaps and defend deeper rather than risk counter-pressing after losing possession.
Man United’s defensive line under Ruben Amorim
Amorim wants ‘aggression’ from his defenders as a key tactic at Sporting was for the centre-backs in the back three to step into midfield and congest the centre of the pitch.
To help limit the space for attackers, Amorim implemented a very high line of defence at Sporting. However, he is missing the right personnel to make that work at United.
Amorim admitted that both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt struggle in a high line, so he has been forced to adapt and play deeper at United.
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The lack of pace in United’s defence meant they were being caught out far too often from passes in behind, so Amorim has made changes. United now have the 11th highest defensive line in the Premier League.
Of course, that could change in time as Amorim continues to make additions to his squad. If United sign a pacey defender, fans can expect to see a return to a high defensive line.
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