Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim may be rethinking his tactics after a stressful night of football at Old Trafford. After 13 months and 59 games at the helm, he has finally succumbed to pressure from pundits, fans, and even some players to change his approach. The absence of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad, and Bryan Mbeumo due to the Africa Cup of Nations had hinted at a possible tactical shift, and this was evident in the latest match against Bournemouth.
Despite appearing to be a like-for-like substitution from the Wolves game, it soon became clear that this was more of a back four than a back three formation. The new setup offered plenty of flexibility, with Amad occasionally dropping back into a wing-back position, but more often pushing forward, leaving Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot to cover the right and left-back positions respectively. Initially, it seemed as though Amorim had found a winning formula, but by the end of the match, there were just as many questions about the back four as there had been about the back three.
The inconsistency of United under Amorim is puzzling. They started the first half with energy and dynamism, only to run out of steam at the beginning of the second half.
Their performance was equally erratic at both ends of the pitch - brilliant in attack but woeful in defence. Once again, they missed the opportunity to climb to fifth place in the league.
Bruno Fernandes was visibly irked at the final whistle, engaging in a heated exchange with Casemiro, seemingly venting his broader grievances at the Brazilian. He is acutely aware that this turmoil cannot persist.
The narrative seemed to be different on a few occasions. United took the lead three times and, unlike their lacklustre starts against Everton and West Ham, they launched an aggressive assault on Bournemouth.
Amad's early goal, which was United's eighth shot of the match, was a just reward for their early initiative. It was evident that Amorim's tactical adjustment was resulting in more players infiltrating the box.
Bournemouth were stretched thin, blocking shots from Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Amad, while Djordje Petrovic managed to keep out Mason Mount's attempt.
Petrovic could only flail an arm in an attempt to smother Diogo Dalot's threatening cross with Cunha nearby. The Brazilian didn't make contact, but the ball ricocheted up for Amad to nod into an unguarded net from close range.
Opportunities continued to flow. Cunha narrowly missed the target and Mbeumo drew another save from Petrovic.
Operating as a false nine, Cunha was orchestrating the play. Another pinpoint pass from his own half found Amad, whose shot was blocked by Adam Smith, and a flawless Cunha delivery was met with an acrobatic volley from Mbeumo, which sailed over the bar.
United had fired off 12 shots to nil by the half-hour mark, but a close call when Semme Lammens saved Marcus Tavernier's header from six yards out served as a warning they failed to heed. Luke Shaw was muscled off the ball by Justin Kluivert and Ayden Heaven was too slow to react to Antoine Semenyo, who then scored off the post.
Casemiro put United back in the lead before the interval, capitalising on Petrovic's botched header from Fernandes' corner, and it seemed like the game was in the bag. However, United appeared sluggish after the break.
Immediately after the restart, Tavernier's pass found Evanilson unmarked and he slotted past a stationary Lammens. Shortly thereafter, Fernandes lost possession in midfield and Casemiro was forced into a desperate tackle, conceding a free-kick 20 yards out.
Tavernier's low shot from the set piece beat Lammens, who should have been guarding that side of the goal.
As United began to look bereft of ideas, Amorim brought on Kobbie Mainoo in an attempt to salvage the situation. The thunderous applause that welcomed Mainoo's substitution for Casemiro made it clear that the Old Trafford faithful are not keen on seeing the academy graduate loaned out for the second half of the season, but the noise level soon escalated.
Fernandes redeemed himself for his blunder that led to Bournemouth's third goal by scoring a spectacular free-kick with just 13 minutes remaining. He then rallied his teammates and the crowd, demanding more urgency on the pitch.
His call was answered immediately as Mbeumo broke through a tackle, Sekso continued the attack, and Cunha capitalised on a defensive error to score his second goal for the club.
In celebration, Fernandes rushed towards the substitutes before joining his ecstatic teammates in front of the Stretford End. Cunha expressed his joy by kissing his shirt in front of the stand, igniting the atmosphere at Old Trafford.
However, the fans knew better than to take anything for granted. Junior Kroupi found room on the edge of the box and delivered a stunning finish, making Bournemouth look like the more likely victors.
In the eight additional minutes, Lammens made two crucial saves from David Brooks, preventing a disappointing night from turning into a catastrophe.