Amorim's Mission: Three Crucial Moves to End Man Utd's Historic Nightmare Streak

Saturday's 3–1 loss to Brentford marked another disappointing chapter for Ruben Amorim's Manchester United, as such poor performances have become increasingly common under the Portuguese manager's leadership.

INEOS selected Amorim as the ideal candidate to rescue United from their struggles after years of inconsistent results that rarely delivered lasting achievements.

The promising coach had achieved remarkable success at Sporting CP and seemed like an appealing choice when the club eventually dismissed Erik ten Hag. Yet under Amorim's guidance, United continue plummeting to depths previously considered unthinkable.

The Red Devils keep setting unwanted records, having now begun their poorest Premier League campaign since the league's debut season in 1992–93. They haven't managed consecutive league victories since Amorim assumed control in November 2024, and despite INEOS's eagerness for this venture to succeed, there's no sign of improvement on Manchester's red side.

Should Amorim wish to reverse United's fortunes at Old Trafford, here are three essential steps he must take immediately that don't involve 'additional spending'.

Modify the Formation

José Mourinho has consistently criticized idealistic dreamers in football, and while the current Benfica boss has previously praised his fellow Portuguese, Mourinho has also labeled managers who stubbornly stick to their concepts as "foolish".

While Amorim isn't as dogmatic as Marcelo Bielsa, the Man Utd manager remains committed to his 3-4-2-1 formation that has undoubtedly played a role in the Red Devils' mediocrity during his tenure.

"I won't alter my approach. When I decide to modify my philosophy, I will. Otherwise, you must replace the manager," Amorim stated following United's 3–0 loss in the Manchester derby.

Oliver Glasner has demonstrated at Crystal Palace that three-at-the-back can work effectively in the Premier League. Amorim's concept isn't fundamentally broken, but his implementation certainly is. Despite his alleged firm beliefs, Man Utd have consistently played without clear direction. It's never been obvious under Amorim how they plan to find the net while keeping opponents at bay.

Progression remains problematic, with United frequently unable to advance through the middle due to having an ineffective center-back in the midfield pairing. Flank combinations are crucial, along with risky first-time passes from wing-backs into central areas. These sequences should be well-drilled, yet United rarely play with the assurance of a team that anticipates each move.

Amorim displays tactical inflexibility that's far too simple for elite-level opponents to counter. This isn't about the 3-4-2-1 itself, but the predictability that runs through the manager's system. There needs to be room for greater positional flexibility and more encouragement for players to improvise.

Defensively, concerns are even greater, despite the extra defender theoretically offering additional protection. Unlike most teams, United don't press individually and defend in a 5-4-1, frequently giving opponents excessive game control. Teams have successfully bypassed their pressing and overwhelmed their two-man midfield, forcing Amorim to deploy a center-back into midfield to address this problem.

United seem caught between approaches within Amorim's favored system. For a straightforward solution, he should study Glasner's Palace.

Alternative Player Selection

Is it unreasonable to argue that United's squad isn't responsible for their troubles?

Certainly, gaps exist in Amorim's roster, particularly in midfield, but the Portuguese could field over £200 million ($268 million) worth of attacking players in his starting lineup at the Gtech on Saturday. Partnerships between Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were scarce, but given time to develop chemistry, United should eventually benefit.

Nevertheless, by maintaining a front three of summer signings, Bruno Fernandes must continue operating in a deeper midfield role. United's failure to bolster their central area during summer has given Amorim more reason to deploy his captain in the midfield partnership, but his limitations in this position have been exposed repeatedly this season. While he can assist build-up play and spark transitions with spectacular cross-field passes, he's defensively vulnerable.

The problem is that all of Amorim's midfield pairings have weaknesses. The criticized Kobbie Mainoo shares similar defensive shortcomings with Fernandes, while Manuel Ugarte hasn't demonstrated the required standard. Casemiro has performed adequately under Amorim, but who's his perfect partner? Surely Mainoo possesses too much ability to remain a substitute?

Defensively, Leny Yoro remains a teenager but must become a foundation of this backline. United will primarily play once weekly this season, giving Amorim opportunities to select a stable three-man defense, barring injuries. Lisandro Martínez is nearing his return, so United could soon field a backline featuring Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt (who performs better centrally) and Martínez.

While Altay Bayındır produced several fine saves against Brentford, it seems inevitable that Senne Lammens will eventually start for Man Utd.

In a system built on consistency and relationships, familiarity is essential. Mainoo needs reintegration, Yoro should start whenever available, while Fernandes would surely excel in an attacking position.

Media Strategy Adjustment

Many United fans initially praised Amorim's "candid transparency" early in his appointment, as the Portuguese clearly outlined the magnitude of his challenge.

The 40-year-old is an engaging personality who communicates clearly with media, yet he frequently undermines his team publicly. Amorim notably questioned whether last season's squad was the "poorest team in Manchester United's history." Perhaps Amorim requires a different media strategy to inspire better performances from his players.

United have struggled with fundamental errors, and individual mistakes plagued them again versus Brentford. The Red Devils jersey carries enormous pressure, and some players are struggling to handle it, but Amorim's quick public criticism hasn't yet proven him to be an inspiring sideline presence.

Nobody expects Amorim to embrace false optimism, but perhaps a less pessimistic public demeanor could foster more positive energy around the club during difficult periods.