Manchester United players are trying to adapt to a new system under Ruben Amorim.
Erik ten Hag’s inability to implement a clear style of play at Manchester United was one of his biggest problems.
It also becomes Ruben Amorim’s biggest task to get the current crop of players familiar with his preferred system, which often sees United’s first team line up in a 3-4-3 formation.
Although United start the game with three centre-backs, it becomes a back five when the team loses possession. The players are then expected to press aggressively to regain possession.
United also play with a high defensive line, with a lot of responsibility put on the wing-backs to get up and down the pitch.
That was an unfamiliar system to many of the squad a month ago. They’ve had mixed results during an adaptation period, but Amorim has been adamant about sticking to his beliefs.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot have been utilised as wing-backs in recent matches, but United still sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table, despite an encouraging 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend.
Diogo Dalot is not cut out for wing-back role, says Paul Parker
United are winless in their last four matches across all competitions and face Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday. That will be another challenge for the Reds as they try to adapt to their new head coach’s chosen methods.
Amorim is likely to stick with Mazraoui and Dalot as wing-backs after their strong performance against Liverpool a week ago.
Former United full-back Paul Parker has had his say on United’s wing-back situation.
Parker, who spent five years at Old Trafford, was full of praise for Mazraoui, but he doesn’t think Dalot is cut out of the wing-back role.
“I’m a big fan of Mazraoui, and he’s played almost every single game,” Parker told Four Four Two, before praising the Moroccan’s athleticism and desire not to be beaten by his opponent.
Parker is less convinced by Dalot, adding: “That doesn’t work. He gives no balance. There are some good bits, but there are a lot of bad bits.
“His best game in a long time came against Liverpool, because he was able to run at Trent Alexander-Arnold, and everybody knows that when you play against Liverpool, you go up against him, as you’re going to get joy down that side.
“Manchester United and Dalot exploited that, and if there was someone naturally left-footed, then United would have had a lot more joy.
“Luke Shaw, even if fit, doesn’t naturally look to try and play as a winger when he plays as a wing-back.”
Manchester United’s answer at left wing-back
Parker has urged United to strengthen at left wing-back.
The former England international has identified Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies as the answer to United’s problems on the left side of the pitch.
Davies has been linked with a move to United as well as Real Madrid, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
“I would love to see Alphonso Davies playing left wing-back for United, because he wants to get up and down,” Parker concluded.
“It’s all well and good putting a winger in as a wing-back, but you generally find that most wingers don’t want to go up and down, and have no interest in getting back because all the glory is in going forward.”
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