The appointment of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United’s new head coach in November 2024 was seen as a sign of great positivity among the club’s fans. However, the results have not quite followed and the Portuguese manager has found himself in increasing pressure to sustain his position by the end of the season.
Amorim’s Arrival and Expectations
Amorim was brought on board by Manchester United from Portuguese club Sporting CP, with whom he won two Liga Portugals (2021-22, 2023-24) as well as a Super Cup. He was expected to flood Manchester United with his fresh ideas and bring the players out of the deep reverie they had seemingly gone into.
United’s performances have scarcely improved under the 40-year-old, and it remains a topic of grave concern for the stakeholders involved. Amorim promised winds of change when he first arrived at the club, with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town in his first game in charge, but strangely, the results have not followed.
Ruben Amorim Implemented a New System at Old Trafford
One of the reasons for this has to be the new system he has implemented at United. He has asked his players to play in a 3-5-2 formation in which a lot of emphasis is put on playing long balls. With three central defenders and two wingbacks, the role of the central midfielders also becomes crucial.
However, as was seen in Manchester United’s recent 0-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Amorim chose to start the game with just one defensive midfielder, Casemiro, who was beset with age and lack of pace to do his job effectively.
Here’s Ruben Amorim’s post-match reaction.#MUFC || #TOTMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2025
Quite strangely, the Portuguese chose Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho – both attack-minded players – to play alongside Casemiro in midfield. Although Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo picked up injuries in training, it was frankly unwise to pair an attacking midfielder to shield his defenders and create transitions. This is something the club needs to improve upon.
Attacking Struggles and Tactical Weaknesses
While Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee operated at the top of the three, most of United’s attacks seemed blunted in midfield itself, with them not having the proper shape to execute their plans. This has been a recurring theme with Amorim in charge of the club, and it needs to be understood whether he needs to change his philosophy for the players or not.
Defeat in north London.#MUFC || #TOTMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2025
United have already lost one of their best central defenders, Lisandro Martinez, to a long-term injury this season, which leaves just three top-class centre-backs available to Amorim – Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire. None of these three are ball-playing centre-backs, although Maguire seems to be evolving into one.
Defensive Concerns And Overburdened Midfielders
With his central defenders not ball-playing ones, a lot of emphasis is put on his wingbacks – Noussair Mazraoui and new signing Patrick Dorgu – to provide their attackers with balls inside the box. However, both wingbacks are usually seen luxuriating inside their own half and seldom proceeding into the final third.
Zirk goes close as the Reds increase the pressure — come on, lads! 🔴#MUFC || #TOTMUN pic.twitter.com/WvwarYc4e4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2025
This adds a lot of pressure to the midfielders, who have to do the dual job of shielding their defenders as well as creating space in the final third for their strikers. Amorim seems to trust just one central midfielder to sit in front of the defence and pull strings for him, but this tactic is not quite working so far. Selling Scott McTominay to Napoli earlier this year is coming back to haunt the Red Devils now.
Manchester United Must Make Crucial Signings in the Summer
Another reason why things are not working out for Amorim is the quality of attackers he has in the squad. Højlund and Zirkzee are top-class strikers, but neither is fit for the rigours of the Premier League at the moment. The Portuguese coach will have to be given a free hand to sign good attackers in the summer.
Fernandes and Garnacho are the sole remaining attackers who have the ability to unlock opposition defences, with Antony, quite strangely, sent on loan to Real Betis and Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa. Amorim’s poor relationship with Rashford did nothing but alienate the England international and add to United’s attacking woes.
Amorim’s Future at United: Will He Be Given Time?
Reports state that Amorim has not quite lost the respect of the dressing room just yet, and it will be unfair to judge him without having given him a full transfer window. Although he has enough quality to work with in defence, his attacking options are limited at the moment, more so after Amad Diallo sustained a season-ending injury in training last week.
Approaching the hour mark at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.#MUFC || #TOTMUN pic.twitter.com/ccTv2PRGzv
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2025
The reality is that United are ranked in the 15th position of the league table at the moment with just 29 points inside their kitty, and Amorim’s sole job will be to reinstate them inside the top ten by the end of the season. It will be a tough ask, but he is among the few top managers in European football who can be trusted to take care of a long-term project. And United have sought him out for a long-term project.
Can Amorim Turn Things Around?
Amorim’s record at United is shabby at best: out of the 21 matches he has been in charge so far, he has won just ten and lost nine. He has drawn just two matches. The United hierarchy, however, will have faith in him as he can be expected to turn things around if the players start understanding his philosophy better and the board allows him to make good signings in the summer.
