Why Ruben Amorim's System Is Failing At Manchester United

Introduction To Amorim's Tactical Challenges At Manchester United

Since taking charge, Ruben Amorim has faced significant challenges implementing his preferred tactical system at Manchester United. Despite a hefty summer outlay of £200m on new signings, the Red Devils have struggled to translate Amorim's philosophy into consistent Premier League success, languishing in the lower half of the table. This article delves into why Amorim's rigid positional style has failed to meet expectations so far, with a detailed tactical breakdown and insights into how opponents have exploited United’s weaknesses.

Understanding Amorim’s Positional 5-2-3 System

At Sporting CP, Amorim’s 5-2-3 setup brought dominance, but the Premier League presents a sterner test. His system demands players hold strict zones: wing-backs remain wide, central midfielders stay central, and rotations are minimal. The core idea is to create numerical overloads on the flanks by combining wing-backs, midfielders, and centre-backs in those wide areas, theoretically opening pathways to attack more effectively.

However, this rigid positional discipline limits individual creativity and roaming, key elements needed to break down pressing opponents. The system relies heavily on pre-planned passing sequences rather than free-flowing, instinctive play.

Why Manchester United Struggled Against Grimsby Town’s Man-To-Man Press

A critical flaw in Amorim’s approach was exposed during United’s shocking Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town. Grimsby employed an aggressive man-to-man press across the pitch, neutralising United’s expected numerical advantages. This press forced United players into predictable zones where they were closely marked, preventing the typical overloads from materialising.

Individual Skill Vs Rigid Positioning

Overcoming man-to-man marking usually requires players with strong dribbling skills who can disrupt the press by beating their markers. Kobbie Mainoo’s ability to dribble past his marker led to United’s goal against Grimsby, highlighting how vital individual expression is. Yet, Amorim’s system discourages such spontaneous dribbling, favouring rapid passing with minimal touches. This lack of freedom hinders players like Mainoo who thrive when they can roam and take on opponents.

The Limits Of Pre-Planned Passing Routines

Amorim’s strategy employs an 'up-back-through' passing sequence: a direct pass forward, a layoff, then a through ball over the top. This pattern aims to draw defenders out of position to create space. While theoretically sound, opponents can counter by mirroring United’s shape with a back five and matching players man-for-man, reducing the effectiveness of this approach. Grimsby’s focus on pressing the wide areas, often ignoring the centre, showed how predictable the system can be.

Manchester United’s Defensive Shape And Its Vulnerabilities

Defensively, United usually set up in a 5-2-3 formation with a high press to win the ball back early. However, they avoid man-to-man marking, preferring trigger-based pressing. The wide centre-backs are tasked with following opponents into midfield, while wing-backs drop deep to cover. This shape aims to trap opponents in wide areas, but comes at the cost of leaving midfield spaces vulnerable.

How Opponents Exploit The Midfield Overload

With only two central midfielders, United often get outnumbered when opponents smartly overload the middle of the pitch. For example, Fulham’s Marco Silva used Ryan Sessegnon to pin Amad Diallo back on the wing while Alex Iwobi drifted into midfield, creating a 4v2 midfield advantage that United struggled to manage. This allowed Fulham to control possession and bypass United’s press effectively.

What Needs To Change For Amorim’s System To Succeed?

Amorim’s success at Sporting was built on a squad with superior individual talent relative to opponents. The Premier League’s higher standard means such dominance is harder to achieve through recruitment alone. For United, adapting the system might be necessary in the short term to avoid more disappointing results.

Allowing more player freedom, especially encouraging dribbling and roaming outside rigid zones, could help break down pressing teams. Integrating more flexible midfield roles to prevent overloads and adjusting defensive pressing strategies might also improve balance.

Fans and analysts following the Premier League will want to keep an eye on how Amorim adapts, especially as the transfer window closes. For those interested in the broader competitive landscape, our Premier League scores and fixtures guide 2024 25 season offers detailed insights into upcoming matches and standings.

Case Study: Comparing Amorim’s Approach To Other Premier League Managers

Unlike managers who encourage fluid positional play and individual creativity, such as Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp, Amorim’s strict positional discipline appears out of sync with the Premier League’s dynamic style. Teams that thrive here usually combine tactical discipline with moments of individual brilliance, something United currently lack.

For example, contrasting with the adaptability of teams like Fulham under Marco Silva, who cleverly exploit overloads against United’s midfield, Amorim’s setup hasn’t shown similar tactical flexibility yet. This contrast underlines the need for evolution in his approach.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead For Ruben Amorim And Manchester United

Ruben Amorim’s tactical system is not fundamentally flawed but requires significant adaptation to the Premier League’s demands. His rigid positional 5-2-3 limits individual expression and struggles against man-to-man pressing and midfield overloads. For United to climb the table and compete at the top, embracing more fluidity and tactical flexibility is essential.

As the season progresses, monitoring changes in United’s style and player utilisation will reveal whether Amorim can unlock this squad’s potential. For further fascinating stories on rising football stars and tactical evolutions, see our feature on Dominik Livakovics, Croatia’s penalty hero.