Manchester United’s resurgence under Ruben Amorim has been defined by their strong showings in high-stakes encounters.
In the Portuguese manager’s brief tenure since replacing Erik ten Hag in November, his side has triumphed over Manchester City and held their ground against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Yet, amidst these impressive displays, United have faltered against less dominant sides, losing at home to Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Newcastle, and away to Wolves. Captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly voiced his frustrations, questioning why such intensity and effort are reserved for elite opposition.
While Fernandes hinted at a psychological factor, Michael Cox, writing for The Athletic, suggests Amorim’s tactical approach is central to the disparity.
He compares United’s situation to the early managerial spells of Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, and Mikel Arteta, who also struggled against defensively compact teams while thriving against top sides.
Amorim’s current reliance on counter-attacking football exploits the attacking vulnerabilities of possession-heavy teams like Liverpool and City. This approach minimises the need for intricate attacking patterns, which are harder to perfect early in a managerial tenure with limited training time.
Amorim’s system evolved significantly against Liverpool. With three uninterrupted training sessions preceding the match, Amorim refined key aspects of his team’s play, particularly through his wing-backs.
Diogo Dalot delivered a standout performance, attacking space aggressively and creating several chances. His movements reflected a deeper understanding of the attacking responsibilities required in Amorim’s system.
Dalot’s runs stretched Liverpool’s defensive line, while his ability to support Alejandro Garnacho on the overlap or underlap proved pivotal in opening up spaces on the left flank. United’s attacking transitions were swift and purposeful, culminating in a more cohesive and effective performance.
Analysis of United’s performances under Amorim reveals a pattern. Against teams with over 55 per cent average possession, United has secured positive results in three out of five games.
Conversely, they have struggled against sides with lower possession statistics, losing four out of six. This suggests United excel when allowed to counter but lack the creative solutions to dismantle deep defensive blocks.
United’s recent success in cup competitions reflects their comfort with counter-attacking play, a hallmark of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Amorim’s strategy leverages this tradition, focusing on rapid transitions and compact defensive organisation. While this approach suits knockout tournaments, sustained league success requires adaptability against diverse tactical setups.
Amorim’s emphasis on tactical discipline and targeted training is beginning to yield results. However, to mount a serious league challenge, United must evolve into a team capable of breaking down defensive-minded opponents.
For now, Amorim’s tactical blueprint positions United as cup contenders, with their FA Cup and Europa League campaigns still alive. If the team continues to grow under his guidance, they could translate these glimpses of brilliance into a more consistent league campaign.
Featured Image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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Raj Dholakia
Raj is a seasoned digital writer and editor with a deep-seated passion for football. With over four years in the digital space, he has contributed to Sportlens, ManUtdNews, and is now proudly writing for The Peoples Person. His work is driven by a commitment to capture the essence of football, delivering content that speaks to the heart of fans worldwide.
