Back three and a midfield pivot? How Amorim's Man Utd will look

Following the appointment of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, Adrian Clarke looks at what the new head coach will bring to Old Trafford.

Man Utd will soon look very different under the guidance of new head coach Ruben Amorim.

They were a side that struggled to form a clear identity under Erik ten Hag and couldn't commit to a specific style of play.

That is set to undergo a strategic transformation under Amorim.

Back three on its way

The 39-year-old will almost certainly switch the shape from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-2-1, implementing a well-organised press that is supported by a high line that shrinks space for opponents.

In each of his full seasons with Sporting Lisbon, Amorim never deviated from a three-man rearguard, or that type of approach.

Since the start of 2022/23, his favourite formation has been a 3-4-3 built around a quick forward line that can interchange.

Amorim's formations used in Primeira Liga

Replicating this remains a possibility - and it would particularly suit Marcus Rashford - but where would that leave key man Bruno Fernandes?

In that set-up Man Utd’s playmaker could be moved into central midfield - like Pedro Goncalves has on occasion for Sporting - but it is more plausible that Amorim starts life at Old Trafford with a 3-4-2-1.

Fernandes could easily slot into one of those attacking midfield berths, sliding inside for Man Utd's right wing-back to supply the width.

Do not be surprised if Amad Diallo is converted into a right wing-back, especially if Fernandes plays on the inside of him.

The new United head coach successfully converted 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda into a wing-back earlier this season.

How Man Utd could line up 3-4-3 v 3-4-2-1

South Americans should enjoy Amorim’s system

Three of the main beneficiaries of Man Utd's managerial change could be Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho.

Left-footed Argentinian Martinez is perfectly suited to playing on the left of a three, a shape that Ten Hag did not want to use during his time at Old Trafford.

In the build-up phase Amorim likes his central defenders to get on the ball and thread forward passes into midfield, and this is something Martinez is very comfortable with.

No one at Man Utd has made more successful passes than the 467 of Martinez this season, who also tops their charts for progressive ball carries.

Man Utd's top ball carries/passes 24/25

Amorim will ask him to start off their attacks from deeps and move the ball forward with quality.

Uruguay midfielder Ugarte is still adjusting to the pace of Premier League football, but his progress should accelerate working for a head coach that brought the best out of him in Lisbon.

His defensive work in Amorim’s defensive pivot will be crucial, as will Ugarte's understanding of the manager's off-the-ball demands.

For that reason, Ugarte will have to take on more responsibility on a matchday.

Prior to his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2022/23, Ugarte’s 121 tackles ranked him second in Primeira Liga football.

He also stepped forward to win possession inside the final third on 23 occasions that season, suiting Amorim’s pressing tactics.

In addition, he had the best pass accuracy in the division too, with 91.6 per cent.

Ugarte's stats in Primeira Liga

Garnacho, 20, is another player who should thrive under a coach who is renowned for trusting youngsters.

Under Ten Hag he was not guaranteed a place, but in a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3, his slippery movement and technical qualities should make him a pivotal part of United’s front three.

Amorim has a glowing reputation for improving young talent, so Garnacho will be excited to work with him.

Wing-backs may be worried

Amorim wants his wing-backs to provide width in advanced areas, using them as a key part of his attacking armoury.

Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw can all fulfil those roles, but each is more of a natural full-back than wing-back.

Dalot and Mazraoui have created 12 chances between them this season, with nine and three respectively, while they have each contributed one assist.

For context, Sporting's wing-backs have scored three times and produced two assists in only nine league matches.

Moving forward, Amorim may look to bring in more adventurous players in those wide positions.

Making Man Utd harder to play against

Amorim’s Sporting have conceded only twice in nine league matches in 2024/25, as well as just once in three UEFA Champions League contests.

He is studious and pragmatic, organising his teams to be difficult to break down.

Amorim's 3-4-2-1 reverts to a 5-2-3 out of possession, and it is not easy to create chances against them.

In their three UEFA Champions League ties they have faced 32 shots, which is fewer than high-flying Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Inheriting a United team that conceded three goals at home to both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, Amorim will work hard on this aspect of their game.

Since the start of 2023/24, Amorim’s Sporting have a better PPDA (passes per defensive action), which measures the success of their pressing, in European competition than United, proving how well they disrupt opponents.

His team have also kept the ball more patiently, and for longer periods, with Amorim’s distinctive neat and tidy, short-passing football.

Sporting v Man Utd ball possession comparison

We saw how effective this could be over two legs against Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League in March 2023, when Amorim’s Sporting knocked the Gunners out of the competition on penalties.

In that tie, Amorim’s intuitive tweaks regularly pulled Arsenal out of position and impacted their rhythm.

They deliberately made the first leg stretched in a bid to expose Jorginho’s limited mobility, while in the return at Emirates Stadium, Amorim’s side made a conscious effort to retain possession for longer periods, creating frustration for Arsenal.

Sporting registered 3.47 Expected Goals (xG) over the course of a tie that ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Can Amorim get more from Man Utd's players?

It's easy to see why Man Utd have opted for Amorim, who is regarded as a brilliant communicator, man-manager and tactician.

The shape of his side rarely changes, but as a student of the game, he is always prepared to adjust his approach depending on the opponent.

Amorim's teams are noted for being positive and proactive, while also awkward to play against.

His style of play has developed former Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres enormously over the last 14 months, so Rasmus Hojlund, a player with similar qualities, will be excited by this change.

The task facing Amorim is not easy, but his back catalogue of work reviving Sporting shows he is ready to take on the huge challenge of guiding Man Utd back into the big time. 

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