Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday further increased the pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim, sparking more questions about his preferred 3-4-2-1 system. Despite the heavy defeat, Amorim remains steadfast in his belief in this formation. “I’m not going to change,” he stated, adding, “When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.”
The Struggles of Amorim’s Three-at-the-Back Setup at Manchester United
Amorim’s unwavering commitment to the three-at-the-back system, which has seen him implement the 3-4-2-1 formation in 119 of his 189 games, has been a topic of debate. This formation has been used in all of Manchester United’s Premier League matches this season, as well as in other competitions. Despite the formation’s success at Sporting CP, where Amorim won two Primeira Liga titles in four years, the system has not yielded the same results at Old Trafford.
In addition to the 3-4-2-1, Amorim has occasionally used a 3-4-3 system, which he has implemented 68 times, as well as a 3-5-2 setup on two occasions since 2020.
Patience at Old Trafford, But Will Amorim’s Philosophy Prevail?
While Manchester United’s management remains patient, with no immediate plans to change their head coach, the question remains whether Amorim’s three-at-the-back setup can ultimately bring success to the club or if it is bound to fail. With a worse record than any ever-present Premier League side since last year, the stakes are higher than ever.
