Manchester United failed to take six points from one of the worst sides in Premier League history on Tuesday night.
It was a dire night at Old Trafford as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Wolves, ultimately failing to edge our way closer to the top four in the Premier League.
Aston Villa dropping points against league leaders Arsenal cushioned the blow for Ruben Amorim’s side, who were unable to take advantage of Joshua Zirkzee’s first-half opener.
A lapse in concentration at the back led to Wolves levelling the scoring right before the break.
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Overall, it was a turgid performance at home from the Red Devils, and it could feel like a real missed opportunity at the end of the season against a side destined for relegation.
Wolves’ equaliser has brought an alarming trend to light for Amorim that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Rio Ferdinand identifies worrying defensive trend at Man Utd
Amorim has been chopping and changing systems in recent weeks, after recently hinting at plans to fully adapt a back-four system after insisting on playing with a 3-4-2-1 formation since his appointment as United head coach.
United beat Newcastle 1-0, playing with four at the back for the majority of the game, but Amorim reverted to a back-three system by the time United kicked off against Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
It didn’t go to plan, and Amorim switched back to four at the back in the second half when Jack Fletcher replaced Joshua Zirkzee. The Netherlands international scored United’s opening goal but offered little to nothing else in the final third, with Amorim opting to bring on another midfield-type player instead.
The real reason why Ruben Amorim subbed off Man Utd striker Joshua Zirkzee against Wolves… 🤔👀
Did Ruben Amorim make a major mistake taking Joshua Zirkzee off? 😩 Should Benjamin Sesko come off instead of Zirkzee? Let us know YOUR verdict! ✍️
However, Rio Ferdinand made an interesting observation after United conceded yet another goal late in the first half.
The former United defender took to X, where he simply requested stats on United conceding goals late during a half.
Squawka, renowned for football stats, replied, showing a worrying trend of United conceding goals late in the first half. It’s proven costly in games, as was the case against Aston Villa and Wolves in recent weeks.
That’s three goals in the 45th minute or later, which shows that the team is incapable of sitting compact in crucial moments of the game. It’s a big setback to concede on the brink of half-time, and it’s happening to United regularly in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim has spotted the issue too
Speaking to his press conference, Amorim admitted that he had spotted the worrying trend too.
“When we scored, we could not manage not to suffer in the last play of the first first half – today and in other days.
“That moment and those details are costing us a lot of points.”
If Amorim switches to a back four, which centre-backs get benched? De Ligt, Yoro, Heaven or Martinez? Decisions, decisions…
What do you think of Ruben Amorim's comments on Manchester United's formation?
Amorim must settle on defensive shape
Before the game against Wolves, a highly thought of Ayden Heaven spoke about the different challenges he faces in a back-three system.
The 19-year-old had not played in a back-three system before he signed for United in January 2025.
After a strong display against Newcastle, Heaven got the nod again but the defence had switched from a back-three to a back-four since Boxing Day.
It doesn’t help when there are issues in defence if Amorim is planning to chop and change his defensive shape from one game to the next.
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