Man Utd Director Has Repeatedly Asked Amorim to Change Formation; He Insists 3-4-2-1 Can Lead the Team Back to the Top

The reform of the three-back system is naturally the core of Amorim’s tenure. Manchester United hired him fully aware that he would adopt the 3-4-2-1 formation, but this system is still being refined at Carrington. Although Amorim kept his distance during public training sessions before last season’s Europa League matches, he often personally adjusted players’ positions during practical drills.

Non-contact shadow drills are a regular activity, where Amorim kicks the ball to specific areas and requires players to move accordingly. He pursues overall rotation and positional intuition, once personally moving a player by a yard or two to correct their position. Such training was hard to conduct last season due to a packed schedule, but more midweek gaps this season have made it more frequent.

Typically, full-day match-intensity training is arranged weekly to maintain fitness, with the next day as a recovery day. This helps players adapt to next season’s European rhythm while allowing better control over training compared to long European trips. In the formation-polishing phase, 5v5 attacking and defensive drills are a fixed item: one side attacks a standard goal, the other defends three small goals. Amorim stops play immediately if players are out of position.

Some players still question whether the system suits the team. John Murtough, who was promoted to football director after Dan Ashworth’s departure, has discussed changing the formation with Amorim multiple times. It is understood that Murtough prefers the 4-3-3 formation that brought Manchester City dominance, but he has a close relationship with Amorim, communicates daily, and often watches training from the sidelines at Carrington.

Amorim said the system will evolve in due course. He briefly practiced 4-3-3 in training, but mainly to enrich understanding of specific match phases. He once joked, "Even the Pope can’t change the foundation of the three-back system." Undoubtedly, he believes the outside world overfocuses on tactics, while the real reasons for inconsistent performances are the quality of players and lack of energy.

Recently, the offensive potential of his tactical philosophy has begun to show, especially the link-up between Mbeumo and Amad on the right flank—something hard to achieve in other systems. Club sources speculate that Amorim insists on 3-4-2-1 not only because he believes it can lead United back to the top, but also because if results improve after a hasty formation change, it would 反而 confirm the formation was the problem.
Others argue the coaching staff could better convey his ideas. Carlos Fernandes, Adélio Candido, and Emanuel Ferro, who followed him from Sporting CP and helped end the club’s 19-year league title drought, are considered less experienced—30-year-old Fernandes and 29-year-old Candido (a former analyst) are said to struggle with the nuances of convincing players. However, Kieran McKenna faced similar doubts and now leads Ipswich to promotion. Executives believe Fernandes, who oversees set-piece training, is highly talented.

Amorim also insists the team communicates efficiently with clear responsibilities, seeing them as the cornerstone of success. Thus, when he was named Premier League Manager of the Month in October, he included the entire staff in the photo.
After the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby, Amorim said the players "spoke loudest with their actions" and emphasized "it’s impossible to replace 22 players," seemingly alluding to dynamics in training. Earlier, during the pre-season tour in Chicago, he admitted he had considered leaving when results slumped last season.

This season, Amorim has more often stated his willingness to stay long-term. Those around him believe that after the Grimsby loss, he intended to signal "the team’s performance speaks for itself." Complacency was indeed the key issue in that match.

A 0-3 defeat to Manchester City heightened the crisis, but a September win over Chelsea gave management confidence at the first football board meeting of the INEOS era. The Thursday after beating Enzo Maresca’s side, Omar Berrada, Murtough, and CFO Roger Bell briefed non-executive directors Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill, and Michael Edelson. Amorim’s surprise appearance not only demonstrated top-level support but also his willingness to communicate with club legends.

While major decisions are made by the board, briefing Ferguson and others is seen as wise. Even after consecutive losses, management’s support for Amorim remains clear, with Berrada and Murtough citing data predicting an optimistic outlook.

A subsequent defeat to Brentford hit hard, but consecutive wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton injected the first momentum into his tenure. Away draws at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham revealed both potential and flaws.

It is understood that broadcaster TNT originally planned to invite Elliott, host of 网红 fan account "United Strand," to commentate on the Tottenham match. The blogger, who vowed last year not to cut his hair until United win five straight games, has gained significant attention.

A year ago, when Amorim took over, United were 14th with 11 points after 9 rounds and a -3 goal difference; now they are 7th with 18 points after 11 rounds and a +1 goal difference. There have been plenty of headlines in between: Rashford’s exclusion, a broken dressing room TV, Rasmus Højlund’s forced departure, a 15th-place finish labeled "the worst team in history," and that vacant stare in Bilbao.

While the Glazer family has handed operational control to Ratcliffe, they still participate in decisions via monthly executive meetings. Rarely seen Bryan Glazer attended the Merseyside derby at Anfield, sitting with Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Kenny Dalglish. Six months ago, Ed Glazer made a rare comment at a business school talk: “It all starts with wins and losses. You have to ask, ‘Are we on track? Does the current plan work?’ It’s no different from fans—they watch every week, knowing each player’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Despite occasional moments of candor, Amorim understands his responsibility as the club’s public face. He ruled that half the players must sign autographs for fans outside Old Trafford before matches, and half after—because too many had ignored fans. In practice, most players fulfill the obligation upon entering the stadium. Amorim himself often stays late post-match for photos, showing affability in club affairs, once comforting a four-year-old girl visiting Carrington and gifting her a jersey.

Listing Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Sancho, and Malacia on the "clear-out list" was a tough move, but after the transfer window closed, he did consult the squad about Malacia, who stayed. After players supported the Dutchman’s return to training, Amorim listened and even included him in the squad against Brighton.

United’s injury record has improved significantly. While acknowledging the role of single-competition focus, Amorim insists not risking players is key. Though initially reluctant to take over mid-season, he has gained valuable insights into the club and team during this period.

As expected goals data charts show, United are on an upward trend. While not reaching the heights of Ten Hag’s first season, there are signs of recovery after a long deficit. In a season with only domestic competitions, qualifying for Europe is the primary goal. The Premier League landscape suggests a Champions League spot is not out of reach if United find form.

Whatever the outcome, after turmoil including director departures, a second round of layoffs, fan protests, new stadium plans, and Ratcliffe flying to Carrington by helicopter for meetings, United undoubtedly hopes the next 12 months will be calmer and more successful.