OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER previously said a 3-4-3 system was “brilliant when done well” after commenting on Ruben Amorim’s tactics.
, who managed United between 2018 and 2021, is being linked with a sensational return to Old Trafford after .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said a 3-4-3 was ‘brilliant if done well’ after commenting on Ruben AmorimCredit: The Overlap
Amorim was axed by United just 14 months into his stint at Old TraffordCredit: Rex
The Norwegian, 52, is a club legend at United after making 366 appearances and was a favourite among fans during his coaching stint.
And recent reports from the Athletic claim until the end of the season.
had a disastrous spell at United that ended after just 14 months and his tactical stubbornness certainly ruffled a few feathers.
The Portuguese boss was insistent that he would not stop playing with a back three and even persisted with it against , who dumped them out of the .
Solskjaer was asked to comment on Amorim’s decision to keep playing his 3-4-3 despite getting poor results.
He admitted the system was “horrible to play against” and said it could be a “brilliant” tactical set-up – but only if the whole team worked together to execute it.
Speaking on the Overlap , he said: “The 3-4-3, or 3-box-3 — whatever you want to call it — it’s horrible to play against when it’s done well. If you try to press it high, it’s really difficult.
“The first team I remember doing it properly in our era was Basel against in the a few years back. And you could just see it — Liverpool were struggling to press them.
“You almost have to go man-to-man, follow every run, track everything, and even then it’s tough.
“When it works, it’s brilliant, but you do need teams to press you for it to really click.
“You see that with United now – they tend to win more games when they’ve got 45–50 per cent possession, rather than 60–65 per cent.”
Despite pressure to avert away from the 3-4-3, Amorim vowed never to change it, even as his team lumbered to a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
While results did improve in this campaign, with just 31.9 per cent.
That translates to just 1.43 points per game.
Solskjaer, meanwhile, left United with a 54.2 per cent win percentage, picking up 1.81 points per game.
The former Cardiff and Molde boss was considered as a potential caretaker boss before United appointed Amorim, when it was unclear whether they could secure the ex-Sporting Lisbon coach.
For now, former United midfielder will take charge of United on an interim basis ahead of their trip to on Wednesday.
, who briefly took interim charge of United when Solskjaer was sacked in 2021, could return to the club as part of Fletcher’s backroom staff.
And ex-United defender Jonny Evans, who only left his role as head of loans and pathways in December, could also return to the coaching set-up after Amorim’s departure.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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