The reason Liverpool rejected Ruben Amorim could help these Man United players shine

During a time of remarkable dominance and glory, Manchester United maintained such a high standard that even a one-game losing streak was seen as a crisis, according to influential captain Roy Keane.

Since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, the club has gone through five permanent head coaches, with Sporting Portugal head coach Ruben Amorim becoming the sixth following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.

Amorim will officially begin his role as manager on November 11 and take charge of his first game against Ipswich Town after the upcoming international break. There is already excitement building, as the Portuguese tactician is expected to take a significantly different approach than Ten Hag and his predecessors.

The most clear illustration will be how United lines up, as Amorim is dedicated to a specific formation. There’s no reason to think he will change it, which is reportedly why Liverpool chose not to hire him as Jurgen Klopp’s successor this summer.

“My suspicion is that one of the reasons Liverpool favoured [Arne] Slot over Amorim last summer is because the Dutchman prefers the more traditional four at the back, so the transition was easier for the squad he inherited,” Jamie Carragher said. ‘Under Jurgen Klopp, the style of the first team was mirrored down to academy level to ensure those who made the step up were familiar with the playing patterns.”

Some still question whether he has the right personnel to execute this strategy effectively.

From the beginning of his Sporting tenure, Amorim has primarily employed a 3-4-3 formation, though he’s fielded a two-striker formation on some rare occasions. This may represent the future direction for United, an uncharted move considering a back-three is rarely, if ever, utilised by those sitting in the Old Trafford home dugout. It’s also not commonly seen in the Premier League, with a notable exception being Chelsea under Antonio Conte, which led to an impressive championship win in the 2016/17 season.

But that was seven years ago, and Conte employed a 3-4-2-1 formation, which slightly differs from Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 setup, even if they are seen as the same. Four teams that finished in the bottom seven last season adopted this strategy. Luton and Wolves played in a 3-4-2-1 formation, while Brentford and Sheffield United chose a 3-5-2 formation.

The clubs’ identities, all struggling to secure wins, suggest that using a three-at-the-back formation reflects a reactive strategy. By employing this formation, they effectively defend with five players and aim to set up counterattacks. However, while Amorim has shown a back-three system can be proactive with his side often in the ascendancy, replicating that success at United poses a different challenge altogether.

As touched upon, does Amorim have players with the necessary experience and attributes to play in a back-three formation?

A quick look reveals a mixed response. Goalkeeper Andre Onana exclusively played in a similar system during his short time at Inter Milan. Meanwhile, both Matthijs de Ligt (centre-back) and Noussair Mazraoui (wing-back) were utilised in a back-three setup during Julian Nagelsmann’s tenure at Bayern Munich, although such instances were rare, as the German powerhouse typically preferred a back-four formation.

Lisandro Martinez appears to be well-suited for playing on the left side of a three-man central defence. Amorim prefers his central defenders to be actively involved with the ball in the build-up phase, making forward passes into midfield. Martinez excels in this role. This season, no player at United has made more successful passes than Martinez, with a total of 467, and he also leads the team in progressive ball carries.

Additionally, there is a distinct possibility that Amad Diallo could be converted into a right-wing-back, especially if Fernandes plays inside of him. The new United boss successfully transitioned 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda into a wing-back earlier this season.

With everyone available, it seems that Martínez, De Ligt, and Leny Yoro—who has yet to play for the club—would represent three quality options at centre-back. Luke Shaw is an elite choice when fit, while Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui would compete for the right-wing-back position.

United supporters will be eager to see Amorim implement a well-organised pressing strategy supported by a high defensive line that reduces space for opponents. His 3-4-3 formation shifts to a 5-2-3 when they are out of possession, making it challenging for opponents to create scoring opportunities. Sporting has conceded only twice in nine league matches during the 2024/25 season, and they have allowed just one goal in three Champions League games.

Manuel Ugarte thrived under Amorim at Sporting and will likely form a midfield partnership with Kobbie Mainoo, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen providing backup. Ugarte’s defensive contributions in Amorim’s pivot will be essential, as will his ability to meet the manager’s off-the-ball demands.

Consequently, Ugarte will need to assume greater responsibility on matchday. Before his move to Paris Saint-Germain for the 2022/23 season, Ugarte recorded 121 tackles, ranking him second in the Primeira Liga. Additionally, he was proactive in winning possession in the final third on 23 occasions that season, which aligns well with Amorim’s pressing tactics.

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford could be his two attacking players behind the striker. Amorim prefers using one technically proficient No.10 type player with a more traditional wide attacker.

Bucking current popular trends, his team plays with a more patient approach, maintaining possession for longer periods. Amorim’s distinctive style features neat short passes. Over the past 14 months, this playing style has significantly developed former Coventry City striker Viktor Gyökeres. As a result, Rasmus Hojlund, a player with similar qualities, should be excited about this change.

Establishing his playing style will be easier said than done, but it doesn’t change the fact that United have been underperforming compared to their expected goals (xG) this season, falling short by -6.46. Only Crystal Palace, with -6.91, has a worse record. Additionally, United has missed the joint-most “big chances” in the 2024-25 season, totalling 22.

While this may seem discouraging, it does indicate that United is creating chances. Only Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool have created more big chances this season. One could argue that Ten Hag would still be in his position if their finishing had been average.

Given the calibre of players at United, many would expect to see a natural improvement in performance, which could lead to a positive response under the new manager, Amorim. His next three matches are all winnable; they will play away against Leicester City and Everton, with a trip to Ipswich Town sandwiched in between.