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Afolabi Ezekiel - November 20, 2024
Amorim’s versatile attack and solid defense, coupled with his playing style, made him a natural fit for a Premier League coaching position. His appointment to take charge of Old Trafford makes him the sixth permanent manager for the United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit in 2013.
What are the consequences of Amorim’s tactical approach for Manchester United squad?
Below is a breakdown of which players could excel in playing under his strategies and which might receive a system change as he selects his starting line-up.
Amorim’s Sporting team builds attacks mostly and especially through the center using wide center-backs like Goncalo Inacio and Zeno Debast along with midfielders Daniel Braganca and Hidemasa Morita who push for the attacking midfielder or the forwards upfront.
The center forward has liberty to move more in the wide areas while the nearest forward has to be ahead and be more aggressive.
The back three serve two main purposes: it enables the team to withstand pressure and also help the attacking buildup.
Defensively, they enjoy numerical advantage, where three defenders and a defensive midfielder shield the goalkeeper.
The central use of possession creates a more flexible 4-3-3 shape with the central defender joining the midfield, freeing up players central to feed the advancing wing-backs.
Amorim’s use of wing-backs has evolved with one of the two wing-backs focused on crossing while the other on counter pressing.
His midfielders who are known for their athleticism and strong tackling has ensured that his team is now known as one who retains ball possession for an extended period of time.
Manchester United will not have to break the bank to ensure that coach Amorim gets his familiar face back as Manuel Ugarte is already in the team. The young midfielder has had a slow transition to the premier league as former boss Ten Hag needed him to adapt to his style of play.
Ugarte is familiar with Amorim’s system because he once featured in it before he signed for PSG. His tackling, aggressiveness and his coverage in restless wide spaces are sure coming to make him an important in the starting lineup shortly.
Kobbie Mainoo could perform in Sporting’s team the same as Morita did, providing a team with the ability to build the plays and actively join the counter-pressure. Casemiro’s many years of service as a defensive midfielder probably means that he is going to feature prominently for United this season.
While Leny Yoro has not played a full match for United, the strength and size of him should also be useful when he is inserted into the three man back-line.
Lisandro Martinez considered a man marker, would be considered important because he is a good passer and reader of the ball. Martinez’s weaknesses include lack of mobility sometimes when defending big spaces.
As for the forward lineup, Rasmus Hojlund might be the best-suited for leading attacks because of his speed and a preference for the channels.
United fans will, however, expect Amorim to build the Dane into a more flexible striker like he did with Gyokeres. Bruno Fernandes would most probably play again as an advanced midfielder, with another midfielder in the attacking area.
This setup will also be a boon to goalkeeper Andre Onana. United fans have often watched him play the ball long to a striker in central midfield. Yet, due to Amorim’s strategies that promote the central buildup play, Onana may also be made more short-passing, thus the pressuring opposition is pushed away and the wingbacks can be utilized.
Possible Line-up: Onana – Martinez, De Ligt, Yoro – Shaw, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot – Rashford, Fernandes, Hojlund
Perhaps, some preferred kind of a formation can lead to demoting some players to the bench in case they do not fit into Amorim’s style of play. There’s potential to place Matthijs de Ligt at the heart of the backline in 3-4-3 formation, but Harry Maguire can also play in this position.
Problems with full-back injuries in Ten Hag’s United could be different to what Amorim chooses to play with wingbacks.
The new coach has two immediate options: he can maintain Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui outside or rotate a forward like Alejandro Garnacho or Antony but in a broader formation on the field.
Christian Eriksen has been one of the team’s best players in the current campaign but his lack of defensive ability will make him drop down the pecking order of central midfielders behind Casemiro.
When fully fit Mason Mount is probably going to be utilized more often as an attacker than as an outright central midfielder with a position that suits him well but also presents him with more intense competition for a starting place.
If Fernandes is to be one of the support attackers behind the main striker, Amorim faces a decision: He could be used with another direct forward such as Garnacho or Rashford or if you want him to be the secondary playmaker then Mount or Diallo could do the trick.
As of now United has numerous attackers but there are few spots that they can fill hence expect a lot of interchanging in the coming few months. Rasmus Hojlund should still lead the attack, with Zirkzee providing assistance from the bench.
Possible Line-up: Onana – Martinez, Maguire, Yoro – Antony, Ugarte, Casemiro, Mazraoui – Garnacho, Hojlund, Amad.
A problem with 3-4-3 at United is that the team many times lacks pace in the central areas, and the formation requires athletic players who can do the counter-pressing.
Previous United managers have sought to have a side that constantly applies the high pressing, only for them to abandon this style and instead adopt the side’s counter-attacking prowess.
In order for a real long-term success within the medium to long term, Amorim will have to stop that cycle. His signing for United offers them the best opportunity to map out the kind of football they want to be associated with in the future.
Realizing this vision will undoubtedly require several transfer windows to overhaul the squad into one that operates seemingly to his vision, but the process could bring much-needed stability to a club that appeared to have stagnated in terms of identity for a long time.
