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Acknowledging required adjustments

Ruben Amorim's preferred three-at-the-back system cannot be blamed entirely of United's ongoing challenges. The Manchester giants are rebuilding after years of poor stewardship and the current squad is still developing, showing promise in certain positions while obvious flaws continue elsewhere.

Nevertheless, structural vulnerabilities exist within this particular setup, particularly underloads in central areas and issues out wide that demand solutions. Previous managers have effectively handled similar challenges – the Italian manager with Chelsea and the Crystal Palace manager in South London demonstrate that on-field intelligence proves more important than pre-match setups.

Amorim recently stated: "The tactical setup isn't at fault, the outcomes are," comparable to blaming symptoms instead of root issues. Rival clubs have consistently exploited similar flaws in the Red Devils' system for multiple months, not because of tactical ignorance but as the tactical plan itself includes structural weaknesses.

Therefore, fans shouldn't expect an instant solution where the system suddenly works, similar to big-money transfers will not instantly resolve the fundamental problems. The London club's recent match functions as a perfect example – although they lost their head coach and crucial performers during the offseason, they adjusted their system specifically to exploit United's predictable approach.

When Erik ten Hag came to the club, it became apparent that Ajax's playing style didn't transfer to the English top flight; his refusal to modify proved decisive in his final downfall. Now Amorim – who seems to possess every required attribute for football's toughest job apart from adaptability – is repeating identical mistakes and squandering an unprecedented opening. After many years Old Trafford possesses owners focused on achieving success rather than profit generation.

Modifying defensive roles

Outside centre-backs play crucial roles in Amorim's system: they carry possession forward, make important tackles, cover wide areas, switch play, build from the back and augment forward play. Any tactical analyst may ask whether employing a duo of such multi-functional defenders in a three-man defense proves logical when a traditional backline could alleviate midfield issues.

Currently, these defenders remain constrained by rival forwards who, through simple positioning, prevent them from advancing into midfield as the system requires. This situation enables teams with numerical superiority to circumvent the middle third, creating urgent problems that need addressing.

Possible solutions include ordering stoppers to push forward anyway – but this might create defensive exposure – or withdrawing the attacker to enhance ball progression, reducing offensive output but exploiting his driving runs. The smartest modification involves changing the high-press system from 3-1-6 or 3-2-5 to a more balanced 4-4-2 that ensures superior organization and eliminates the need for defenders to advance.

Bringing back the young midfielder

Amorim's preferred style of impatient attacking forces the team to empty central areas and depend on direct passes, counting on individual brilliance rather than structured attacking patterns. While statistical metrics suggest improvement, match observations demonstrate that current chance creation stem largely from fouls in the box and low-probability efforts rather than sustained pressure.

Elite clubs manage proceedings through tempo manipulation. The Red Devils' failure to do this cannot be entirely blamed on Amorim's approach; reports indicate he sought new midfielders during the offseason but encountered resistance from management hierarchy. Setting aside responsibility, the present circumstance proves unworkable.

The manager's first-choice pairing of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, backed up by the summer signing offering backup, has minimized appearances for Kobbie Mainoo. Although reasonable doubts exist about his strength progression and attacking contribution, benching this potential creates doubts about the system's effectiveness.

The preferred central trio personify rapid transitions, whereas the Englishman brings pace management. At Sporting Lisbon, his side could play direct football due to quality superiority against most Primeira Liga opponents, confident they would regain control if the attack broke down. However in the Premier League, the standard throughout means careless possession loss faces quick consequences, while athletic superiority by itself won't secure results.

Mainoo's technical quality shines through, and even if playing him with the attacking midfielder generates vulnerability, such deficiencies prove less important in a possession-dominant team. Accounting for current statistics showing they surrender superior scoring situations than every other team, utilizing the academy product looks logical to test as other solutions have already failed. Despite unknown factors about his precise contribution in Amorim's approach, consistent minutes represents the ideal improvement method and could hardly worsen present conditions.

Maximizing flank contributions

Down the right flank, the pairing of the two attackers ought to complement each other given their similar characteristics of creativity, intelligence and determination. When partnered with the young French defender, they might create a productive relationship that improves creative output. Right now however, predictable positioning makes them easy to defend for structured teams.

United's coach should install organized interchange routines that generate confusion through frequent role switching. Service into wide areas must show diversity – not always to feet but frequently ahead of runners to enhance offensive flow. This method enables inward movement, beating defenders and opening channels for attempts on goal or deliveries.

On the opposite flank, Patrick Dorgu often obtains possession in advanced areas although missing the required quality to exploit successfully. Adjusting his positioning slightly deeper would leverage his tackling and driving runs to {supply more creative players|service better attackers|provide for