Ruben Amorim is building a platform for victory – but his team still need more control
Whether a back three or a back four — what's important is how Manchester United operate inside those frameworks
Ruben Amorim’s memorable line about the Pope and changing his system is often presented without the important follow-up.
“There will be an evolution, but we need to make all the good steps,” added Manchester United’s head coach in that press conference in September.
“When you think about the impact that any decision is going to have on the team, everything is important. I am doing things my way and some guys do it in a different way. But it will change. I hope to have the time to change, but it will change.”
Amorim’s words were in line with his previous comments about adapting the back-three system when he felt it was the right time.
The reality about formations is that they change throughout the match, depending on the phase of play, such as build-up, high press, or low block. For example, Manchester United have frequently pressed in a 4-4-2 since Amorim’s arrival in November 2024.
However, there have been changes in the team’s shape in the last couple of games. In the build-up and progression phases against Bournemouth, Amad was in a higher position than Dalot (a lopsided 3-4-3), and in the 1-0 victory against Newcastle United on Friday, Manchester United’s shape on the ball resembled a lopsided 4-2-3-1, with Matheus Cunha roaming inside from the left wing.
Amorim has evolved his approach in recent weeks (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The biggest tweak, though, has been the team’s shape when defending in a medium block by the halfway line. It was a 4-4-2 in the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, a 4-3-3 away to Aston Villa last week, and a 4-2-3-1 against Newcastle at Old Trafford — a definite deviation from the usual back five. The latter guided Manchester United to their most recent victory, even if they were made to suffer in the second half.
Considering how Newcastle’s midfield three operates, the move towards a 4-2-3-1 shape when defending in a medium block made sense.
In the first half, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro marked their midfield counterparts, with Lisandro Martinez or Ayden Heaven pushing up towards Nick Woltemade, if the centre-forward dropped.
Ugarte, Casemiro and Mount limited the impact of Bruno Guimaraes, Jacob Ramsey and Sandro Tonali by tracking their movement and knowing when to press them.
In this example, Newcastle are combining down their right wing, with Ugarte jumping towards Guimaraes and Casemiro marking Ramsey. Fabian Schar’s overload forces Luke Shaw to move up, leaving Martinez to pick up Jacob Murphy.
As a result, Manchester United’s centre-backs need to shift across, creating a gap in the defensive line. Ramsey tries to attack that space, but Casemiro follows him closely and forces Ramsey into a weak header.
