It’s a familiar story for Manchester United, isn’t it? Those at Old Trafford have been stuck in their very own Groundhog Day for the last 12 years and the latest to guest star is Ruben Amorim. Whether it’s been Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Erik ten Hag or now Amorim, not a single manager has been able to crack the code to success that Sir Alex Ferguson left behind encrypted.
It could easily be argued that Amorim has been the most disappointing. He could have been excused for a poor start after the chaos that Ten Hag left behind. Since then, he’s been more than backed and excuses are running out, as is Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s patience.
Following a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last weekend, reports have emerged that Amorim has just three games to save his job at Old Trafford less than 12 months on from his arrival. Alas, it’s a decision that INEOS will not make lightly and the manager still has time if he implements these five last-gasp changes to save his job.
5 Amorim must start Kobbie Mainoo
Under Ten Hag, Mainoo was Man United’s best player in an FA Cup final against Man City. Under Amorim, he can’t even get a start. Based on those two facts, alone, the natural assumption would be that Amorim has overseen an extraordinary transformation so impressive that even a player of Mainoo’s talent can’t get into the side. That is anything but the case, however.
This is a Man United side that finished as low as 15th last season. No side in the club’s Premier League history have finished lower. Yet, still, there remains no place for a player who looked destined to be Old Trafford’s brightest spark for years to come not so long ago. And that must change.
Starts
19
22
Progressive Passes
65
61
Progressive Carries
22
16
Key Passes
14
10
The start that Manuel Ugarte has made to the current campaign, and the form that he has shown since arriving last summer, should open the door for the England international to earn his place and calm the storm in the middle of Amorim’s side. That should be the manager’s first port of call.
4 Use Harry Maguire's leadership
It might sound absurd, but there is a place for Harry Maguire in this side. Whilst Leny Yoro is a player with plenty of potential – some of which he’s already displayed – there’s no escaping the fact that he has started just one win against current Premier League opposition during his first 13 months at the club. Something, whether it be the youngster or someone else, must change in United’s backline.
That’s when Maguire should be reintroduced. If anyone knows how to bounce back in the current squad, it is the England defender. Amorim must let his experienced centre-back lead by example in a side that lacks leadership wherever those at Old Trafford look. Again it’s also worth pointing out that it’s not been defensive performances of others that have kept Maguire out of the side, either.
The towering defender is also likely to provide quite the threat going forward from set pieces in another route towards much-needed goals for Amorim’s side.
3 Move Fernandes into advanced role
One of United’s biggest problems against Man City was clear for all to see. The likes of Bryan Mbeumo often did well to create the chance before the chance, but unlike in the past, Amorim’s system asked Patrick Dorgu to be the chief creator and not Bruno Fernandes. Instead, the Portuguese playmaker was once again left out of the attacking action in a deeper, wasteful role.
The likes of Liverpool have thrived in the past when asking their fullbacks to create. But Amorim’s system is not Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning tactic and Dorgu is not Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former Lecce defender assisted just two goals last season and, despite finding space against City, only recorded one successful dribble and four accurate crosses.
The idea that Man United are better off with Fernandes in a deeper role is bizarre. Amorim has one of the Premier League’s best creators at his disposal and must move him back into the No.10 role alongside Mbeumo. That partnership alone would provide a greater attacking spark for all involved.
2 Ditch the system
Amorim has been adamant that it’s not the system and perhaps that was the case in his first six months in charge. It’s understandable that he didn’t have the right players and those already there needed to adjust. That adjustment period is now well and truly over. The truth that the former Sporting Club boss must face is that his 3-4-2-1 system will be the death of his Man United career.
With a win rate of just 36.17% – the worst by a Man United manager since World War II – there simply has to at least be an attempt to change. Ange Postecoglou died on the hill of his system last season and Amorim will be next if he persists that problems lie elsewhere. The big question that he must face is, what next?
The solution doesn’t have to be something entirely new. Amorim could even keep his back three by implementing a 3-5-2, which would not only add crucial numbers to what has looked like a tired midfield this season, but also hand Benjamin Sesko a much-needed partner.
1 Partner Sesko and Mbeumo
Sesko is still adjusting to life in the Premier League and it would be harsh to judge the 22-year-old in his current environment. With Fernandes sat deep and questions still emerging over Amad’s ability in the No.10, Mbeumo was the forward’s only point of quality service against Man City and it showed. The Slovakia international didn’t have a single touch inside the area and was hooked after 19 touches altogether on the 80-minute mark.
There is still more than enough time for United to see his best form, however, and a system change would go a long way towards helping him in that regard. By switching to a 5-3-2, Amorim can birth an impressive partnership between Sesko and Mbeumo.
If there’s any player who knows how to play in a two-man striker partnership, it is the former Brentford star. He played the creator for Ivan Toney, before acting as the leading talisman alongside Yoane Wissa in West London for a number of years. Now, he can do the same favour for Sesko to spark United’s attack into life and save Amorim’s job.