Manchester United have evolved tactically this season, with the current system drastically different from last year’s struggles.
The results alone show that Ruben Amorim has improved Manchester United this season, sitting on a five-game unbeaten run and four points off Manchester City in second, also being ahead of defending Champions Liverpool.
Amorim has revamped United’s tactical system, with much more fluidity and adaptability compared to the rigid and predictable 3-4-2-1 that was on display for the opening 10 months of his reign.
How would you rate Manchester United’s season after 11 Premier League games?
It has clearly been a success, with United competing at the top end of the Premier League for the first time in two years. But there may be further evolutions to the system yet to come.
Ruben Amorim is working on a 4-3-3 plan at Manchester United
Having preached patience and insisting that the system was not a problem, the recent turnaround in form has saved Amorim. However, he always made it clear that he was not wedded to the 3-4-2-1; instead, it takes different shapes within games.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 19 |
| 5 |  TottenhamTottenham | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 18 |
| 6 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 18 |
| 7 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 18 |
| 8 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 18 |
| 9 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 18 |
| 10 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 17 |
Now, The Athletic has suggested that Amorim is working on a new adaptation to the system, having told Wilcox that there will be evolution over time, when the Portuguese head coach is ready.
The report claims that in some training sessions, Amorim has lined up the team in a 4-3-3 shape, which is done with the plan to gain an understanding of the system and where players should be during certain phases of the game.
This plan is likely done with the idea of in-game system changes, as we have seen a 4-4-2 at times quite prevalent under Amorim this season when pressing high, particularly.
But if the 4-3-3 becomes an option for Amorim from the get-go, there will be one main winner within the United squad.
Kobbie Mainoo will be the major winner from Manchester United using a 4-3-3
This season has seen Kobbie Mainoo really struggle for minutes within the 3-4-2-1 starting formation, as Amorim doesn’t seem to trust him in either of the two positions, which has resulted in the 20-year-old getting just 138 Premier League minutes so far.
Amorim has claimed Mainoo deserves to be playing, but in the same breath stated he couldn’t justify dropping either midfielder for him.
Playing a midfield three eliminates this issue and would suit Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro better as well, which makes it a bit of a no-brainer.
United have games where the midfield gets completely overrun, and so working on the option to add an extra player in there should be welcomed and shows Amorim is still growing as a coach.
It might be a move that sees Mainoo salvage his United career.
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