Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has directly addressed accusations of tactical stubbornness, revealing he is prepared to adjust his system to improve results after over a year in charge at Old Trafford.
From Success to Scrutiny
The Portuguese coach, who took over from Sporting Lisbon, has fiercely defended his preferred 3-4-3 formation throughout his tenure. His commitment was so strong that he once remarked not even the Pope could convince him to change United's tactical setup. This approach initially paid dividends, with Amorim guiding the team to victories against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton in October, a run of form that earned him the Premier League Manager of the Month award.
However, the mood shifted in November. United's form dipped with two draws and a damaging loss to Everton, a match where the Toffees secured a surprise three points at Old Trafford despite playing with 10 men for 77 minutes following a red card.
Amorim's Tactical Admission
Facing criticism for his perceived inflexibility, Amorim used a new Q&A segment on DAZN Portugal's YouTube channel to clarify his position. He was specifically questioned on whether he would return to the fluid attacking style he employed at Sporting, which featured a rotating front line without a set striker.
Amorim confirmed his willingness to explore different approaches, contrary to his popular image. "We did it against Liverpool, it wasn't with Bryan Mbeumo, it was with Cunha," he explained, referencing a previous tactical experiment. "And it's an option that we have... I'm willing to do anything, contrary to what many people think that I'm too fixated on one thing."
He elaborated on the modern game's tactical nuances, stating that formations are often fluid. "We might say it's a 4-4-2, but five minutes later it's a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3."
The Bryan Mbeumo Conundrum
A key part of Amorim's tactical planning involves winger Bryan Mbeumo. While the manager sees Mbeumo's best position out wide, he confirmed the player is a viable option through the centre.
"We've already thought about that with Bryan [playing central] because he's very strong in transitions," Amorim revealed. "I do think it's the best position for him [out wide] because he likes to be hidden, he doesn't like people watching him... but it's a good option, therefore I'll be able to use it in the future."
This newfound flexibility marks a subtle shift from his earlier, more rigid statements. Earlier this year, Amorim had insisted, "I have one idea... I will not change that, no matter what." Despite the recent poor run, the league table remains incredibly tight. United currently sit 10th, just three points away from fourth place, keeping their Champions League ambitions within reach if they can rediscover their consistency.
