WELL, things could be worse for Ruben Amorim… he could be back in Portugal.
According to the manager, the criticism he faces in his home country is far worse than what he experiences here.
Ruben Amorim asserts that he faces harsher criticism in Portugal than at Manchester United.
He moved from Lisbon with his wife and two sons after accepting the United position in November, stating: “We love living in England.
“You have no idea what criticism is like back home; you are so polite compared to my country when we are losing! So you really have no clue.
“I am genuinely happy here, and my family feels the same. I just despise losing and failing.”
Ahead of Saturday’s match at Old Trafford against a strong opponent, he confessed that the thought of his players believing that his notorious 3-4-3 formation is the root of the club's issues drives him “crazy.”
A memorable line from the film Mike Bassett: England Manager is: “Ladies and gentlemen, England will be playing four-four-f***ing-two.”
Bassett delivers this line at a press conference, and it would certainly be a striking introduction if the next United manager references Ricky Tomlinson’s cult character.
In recent history, the implementation of a back three at United has either served a specific purpose or acted as a temporary solution.
Regardless of the mythical ‘United way,’ the club has been known for its wingers for nearly a century.
In Amorim’s strategy, the wingers play as full-backs.
Back in February of last year, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe assured that the United leadership would determine the style the coach employs.
The manager is convinced that his 3-4-3 system is not the cause of United’s struggles.
With Amorim’s appointment, that approach was reversed.
Remarkably, the 40-year-old Portuguese coach insists that United have NOT been starting games with a defensive trio.
He stated: “There is no back three. Against Brentford, recently we played with Luke Shaw, two center-backs, and a right-back.
“They occupy different positions initially. So, it’s not three center-backs.
“It’s the same concept with slightly altered positions.
“Against Brentford, in the second half, it resembled a 4-4-2. The issue was that we were ineffective with the ball and weak without it... and we lost.”
Despite investing over £250 million on six new signings since Amorim's arrival, a look at the squad indicates that United is better suited to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation.
Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu are specialist full-backs, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt form a solid defensive partnership, while Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro have proven to be an effective midfield duo.
OUT OF SHAPE
Bryan Mbeumo is a natural right-winger, Matheus Cunha has played on the left, Bruno Fernandes is a true playmaker, and Benjamin Sesko is a classic striker.
The formation Amorim advocates is not problematic at the start — but it becomes an issue during the game.
Mason Mount, who scored against Brentford in the last two seasons, had no chance of completing a hat-trick as he came on as an ill-fitting player on the left wing at the GTech, where United suffered a 3-1 defeat a week ago.
Joshua Zirkzee, who hasn’t scored in the Premier League since December 1, filled one of the two playmaker roles, while Mbeumo shifted to the right.
Mbeumo earned United a penalty by playing centrally and is a more effective forward.
Micah Richards boldly claimed on Match of the Day that Amorim “doesn’t have the personnel” for his system. He does.
Amorim has promoted the uncertain Altay Bayindir to be his No. 1 goalkeeper, approved Harry Maguire’s one-year contract extension, and described Shaw as “world-class.”
De Ligt has played his best football for United under Amorim, while Diogo Dalot is part of the new leadership group, and Dorgu was the first signing of the Amorim era.
It is not the system. It is the small details, the way we play the game.
Ruben Amorim
Manuel Ugarte played for Amorim at Sporting, Fernandes has transitioned to midfield under his compatriot, while the attacking trio of Mbeumo, Cunha, and Sesko were acquired in the summer for over £200 million.
Amorim sought a more seasoned goalkeeper but parted ways with Andre Onana and has staunchly defended the beleaguered Bayindir, whose unfortunate mistake allowed Mathias Jensen to score Brentford’s decisive third goal.
Amorim has managed to navigate the challenges posed by prominent players and strong egos during his 11 months at United. Thus, it is no surprise that none of the current squad members are daring enough to suggest a change to a back four.
Amorim stated: “Is it the media that will dictate what I should do? That cannot be the
