Pre-season is the time for experimentation and Ruben Amorim is working on this premise at Manchester United over the summer.
This summer is absolutely huge for Ruben Amorim if he is to become a success story at Manchester United.
After how appalling things were at times during his opening six months managing the club, the rope he has this coming campaign will be short.
Ineos are targeting a top six finish for United during the 2025/26 season, with Amorim having the next month to coach his side into becoming a team capable of achieving this.
This means pre-season is huge to get the 3-4-2-1 system working efficiently, with the forward improvements making this a lot more likely, but Amorim also needs to experiment and change aspects to avoid similar struggles to last season.
Against Leeds, Amorim trialled Toby Collyer in attacking midfield, which didn’t work, with Bryan Mbeumo now expected to make that position his own.
So this weekend against West Ham, there is another alteration he should trial.
Diogo Dalot should get opportunity at right centre-back for Manchester United
The right side of Amorim’s team is set to line-up very differently to ever before after United completed the signing of Bryan Mbeumo, which locks down the right sided number 10 role.
This move should mean that Amad becomes the regular right wing-back starter for United, having been successful there during the 2024/25 season.
With Mbeumo and Amad occupying the two attacking roles on the right, it leaves last season’s ever present Diogo Dalot without a place in the starting line-up.
Dalot isn’t quite offering the attacking output that Amorim wants from his wing-back and therefore, he may have to be reinvented within the system and this could mean centre-back is calling.
Amorim labelled Dalot as being ‘really fast’, in a section of praise for the Portuguese international, and this quality could be interesting if implemented in a right centre-back role.
The wide centre-backs are given license on the ball, which Dalot could offer to United in an abundance, while also being an increasingly good defender as he gets older.
Diogo Dalot defensive statistics from 2024/25 season
| Statistic | # | Percentile |
| Tackles won | 40 | 83rd |
| Duels won | 142 | 84th |
| Duels won percentage | 43% | 46th |
| Aerial duels won | 38 | 88th |
| Aerial duels percentage | 64.4% | 83rd |
| Interceptions | 37 | 88th |
| Recoveries | 167 | 91st |
Dalot has the traits, both physically and technically, to play as a centre-back for United in this current system, however, it could also usher in an interesting style change under Amorim
Dalot positional change could see revamped Ruben Amorim system
Manchester United haven’t had much luck in the 3-4-2-1 system under Amorim so far, which means little tweaks are to be expected. One change which could occur, was seen briefly during the pre-season draw with Leeds.
At times in this game, United were moving from the 3-4-2-1, into more of a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 in and out of possession.
With Dalot at right centre-back this becomes increasingly possible, moving to right back which then allows Amad to become more of a proper winger, while Mbeumo moves into almost a striker position.
This would offer United another dimension in attack, with opponents not able to cover for multiple game plans.
We will have to see against West Ham whether this tactical tweak was just a one-off, or whether it is a more permanent plan. If it is long term, Dalot could be important.
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