Ruben Amorim is almost certainly set to become the new Manchester United manager and winds of change should follow him to Old Trafford.
It’s been a hectic week for Manchester United who have acted with uncharacteristic efficiency by sacking Erik ten Hag on Monday and closing in on hiring replacement Ruben Amorim within 24 hours.
There’s still time for things to go sideways and drag on as United remain in negotiations with Sporting over a compensation package for Amorim and his coaching staff.
However, the 39-year-old looks all but guaranteed to be the next United boss, if not by the weekend’s match against Chelsea then hopefully the Europa League match with PAOK.
Despite winning two trophies in two seasons – and ending the club’s near-seven-year wait for one in the process – the football under Ten Hag had grown beyond stale and lacked any real identity.
Though Amorim has previously spoken about the need to be practical and make tactical switches, he is a manager married to his preferred 3-4-3 formation and has a clear, settled way to play.
Ten Hag dabbled in a similar formation during his reign, with mixed results, so there is the potential for it to work with the current squad but there is one glaring issue.
One problem with Ruben Amorim’s favourite formation at United
For a back-three formation to work having good quality full-backs is more essential than any other position.
Given they are the only players deployed on either flank, they have to be capable of bombing up and down the wings all match long as well as having quality in defence and attack.
If the full-backs don’t press high or aren’t effective going forward, then you end up with a deep, unbalanced side with limited attacking outputs which is easy to pin back and terrible to watch.
If the full-backs can’t defend then a back three can be easily dragged out of position and left exposed.
Of course, a good system needs every cog turning to operate at its maximum. A dynamic midfield, strong striker, creative forwards and a cohesive back three are all important as well.
But the formation can not work at all if the full-backs aren’t up to the task.
United are well-stocked on the right, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui both have the skill sets to operate in the role. At least in an attacking sense. On the left, though, it’s a different story.
United currently don’t have a fit left-back at their disposal. Luke Shaw hasn’t played all season and has suffered yet another injury setback. Tyrell Malacia hasn’t kicked a ball since May 2023.
Ten Hag had been struggling by plugging the gap with Dalot or even Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans when injuries hit elsewhere at the back.
It didn’t work with a back-four and it certainly won’t with a back-three.
Amorim may be forced to play either Dalot or Mazraoui on the left for the time being – with a new left-back surely his top January transfer target – but having a right-footer on the left immediately knocks the system off kilter.
It makes attacks down that side completely predictable as the right-footer will almost always cut inside and by doing so will slow down attacks and clog up the middle of the pitch.
A left-footed left wing-back is essential but Amorim might not have a senior one on his hands until January at least.
In the meantime, a radical position change for Antony might be the wildcard solution to the problem.
Could position change save Antony’s Man Utd career?
Things are not looking good for Antony. Other than three goals in his first three games which promised so much, the winger has been a colossal failure at Old Trafford.
The fact Ten Hag wanted him so desperately that United paid an astonishing £86m for his transfer was another black mark against the Dutchman.
Things have gotten so bleak that Ten Hag hadn’t even been out of the job 24 hours before it was reported Antony was free to leave in January.
His United career looks all but over but a switch to left wing-back might be the final chance to rescue it.
The Brazilian has actually filled in as a traditional full-back on a couple of occasions when injuries have bitten hard in defence and he actually looked decent in the role.
Antony’s aggression and high energy suits well to a position where he needs to press and win challenges. Going forward, he has even managed to score one of his 12 United goals while playing at left-back.
In a position where his pace and stamina are needed and some of his attacking skills can be utilised without being relied upon to be a main creator, it might just be a good fit.
Amorim will need a left-footer on that side of the pitch and, though United fans would likely rather see Harry Amass given a chance, there’s no harm in seeing if they can finally get their money’s worth out of Antony first.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
