Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim has demonstrated a evolving approach to his tactics this Premier League season, shifting away from his initially rigid formation. With a record of 14 losses, 11 draws, and 13 wins under Amorim, the team's performance has been as unpredictable as their formations.
In November 2024, Amorim emphasized the importance of establishing an identity for the team. "We know that we need time, but we have to win time," he stated. "To win time is to win games. But the most important thing for me is identity. So, since day one, we will start with our identity."
The initial tactic that defined Amorim's United was the 3-4-2-1 formation, featuring three defenders, two pivot midfielders, and a forward line of three. This setup was a departure from Old Trafford's traditional approach, and its lackluster results—including a 15th-place finish in the league and a Europa League final defeat—led to widespread criticism.
However, in December, Amorim began to show tactical flexibility. Forced to adapt due to the Africa Cup of Nations absences of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, the Portuguese coach shifted to a four-at-the-back formation for the first time since his appointment, in the Boxing Day win against Newcastle. "We are trying to build an identity," Amorim explained. "Today is a different moment. We don't have a lot of players, so we need to adapt."
But against Wolves it was back to basics for the Portuguese. A tactical reversion called a "backwards" step by Gary Neville as Amorim returned to a back three. But why did he change back, are Man Utd ready to move beyond the back three and what changes has Amorim made to his approach throughout this season?
Below, we examine six key games from the season and analyze Amorim's tactical approach.
Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (3-4-2-1) - August 2025
The Premier League opener against Arsenal provided the first glimpse of Amorim's new signings in action. Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Mason Mount started the match. Cunha played centrally, with Mount on the left and Mbeumo on the right. United dominated possession and outshot Arsenal, but an early set-piece and a goalkeeper error led to their defeat.
Amorim's side showed a more aggressive and direct attacking approach, utilizing their wing-backs and Mbeumo's willingness to run behind the defense. "We were more aggressive than last year," Amorim said post-match. "We sprinted more, we were braver, we went one against one for the whole game and we pressed high."
As the season progresses, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Amorim continues to adapt and evolve his tactics to secure better results for Manchester United.
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