Ruben Amorim has denied suggestions that he is “obsessed” with his tactical approach at Manchester United, but admitted he remains “willing” to tweak the set-up in the pursuit of victory. The Portuguese manager has stuck to a 3-4-3 system since taking over from Sporting and previously declared that not even the Pope could persuade him to change United’s tactical framework.
This formation is divisive, but any doubts surrounding his status were put to rest when Amorim won the Premier League Manager of the Month award in October following wins against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. United started November with two draws and a loss against Everton, who secured all three points at Old Trafford despite playing with just 10 men for 77 minutes following a red card.
Amorim was criticized for his inflexibility against Everton, but insisted he could adapt. DAZN Portugal has introduced a new Q&A series on YouTube, giving supporters the chance to ask ‘Portugal’s greatest figure in world football’ questions, with Amorim appearing as the first guest.
Amorim was asked whether he would return to the “mobile attacking style” he had at Sporting, where there is no fixed striker and the front line constantly rotates. Victor Gokeres was the preferred striker throughout Amorim’s tenure at Sporting, but the system was built around rotation and Gokeres was told to move wide, link play and drop deeper.
The 40-year-old manager revealed that United are already experimenting with a more flexible attacking system this season, stressing that there is an “willingness” to consider different tactical approaches, particularly with Mbeumo in the centre.
Amorim said: “We did it against Liverpool, but it wasn’t with Brian Mbeumo, it was with Cunha. And that’s the option we have and I think today, guys, there’s a huge variation in the structure of things, not only in the English league but also in the Portuguese league, in any league.”
“You might say it’s a 4-4-2, but five minutes later it’s a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. So contrary to a lot of people thinking I’m too attached to one thing, I’m willing to do anything.”
“I’m just starting with the basic fundamentals, but obviously I can use that in the future. And I’m already thinking about that with Brian (who plays center) because he’s very strong in transition.
“I think it’s the best position (out wide) for him, because he likes to hide and he doesn’t like to be seen. He can attack and be more dangerous on either flank, on the right or on the left, rather than as a striker, but it’s a good option. So he could use it in the future, as he did several times at Sporting.”
Amorim has consistently maintained that the tactical approach is not the problem. He said earlier this year: “The problem with our team is not the system. We have many problems and we are trying to address these problems. Of course, every system requires different characteristics. But I have always been clear: I have one idea.”
“I’m still really confident because I have an idea of how to play football and I’m not going to change that no matter what. And I’m not talking about a system, it’s my view of football and I’m not going to change that.”
United currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, just three points off fourth place.
