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Man United players 'questioning' Ruben Amorim tactics amid 'concerns' over viability of 3-4-3 formation

Here We Go Again: Man United players 'have reservations' over Amorim tactics
© Imago
A number of Manchester United players allegedly have reservations over Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford.

A number of Manchester United players are said to have reservations over Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils continuing to struggle for performances.

A solid run of form has seen the 20-time English champions win six of their last eight matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 success over Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup last time out.

Man United have been beaten in two of their last three in England's top flight, though, including a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the start of the month, with the result leaving them down in 13th spot in the Premier League table.

Amorim, as expected, brought his 3-4-3 formation with him to Man United, having enjoyed huge success with that set-up at Sporting Lisbon, but the Red Devils lack specialist players in key areas, including in the two wing-back spots.

According to the Daily Mail, some members of Man United's first-team squad have reservations over the system and have discussed whether a change would be beneficial during certain matches.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on February 7, 2025© Imago

Man United players 'have concerns' over Amorim tactics

The report claims that there are 'growing concerns' that the team's struggles could continue unless there is a change, but Amorim has insisted on a number of occasions that he will continue to keep faith with his system.

Amorim has won nine, drawn three and lost eight of his 20 matches since taking charge of the Red Devils in November, but he has managed to guide the team into the fifth round of the FA Cup and the knockout round of the Europa League.

Man United are currently preparing for their next Premier League match, which comes away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and there will be pressure on the Portuguese to deliver a positive result in that contest.

Man United head coach Ruben Amorim on December 30, 2024© Imago

Neville: Man United have "got a lot worse" under Amorim

Speaking after the 2-0 loss at home to Palace, former Man United captain Gary Neville admitted that Amorim will find it difficult to convince his players of his ideas if the team's poor results continue.

"I thought it would get better when Ruben Amorim came in, the enthusiasm of him and the new system, the players would buy into and we'd see a bounce, but we've seen the absolute opposite and it's got a lot worse," he said on The Gary Neville podcast.

"They (United) are obviously going to stick with Amorim. But the more you lose, the more difficult it is for the manager to convince the players of his idea. It will depress the thoughts of the players to a point whereby they'll start to lose faith in the idea and it'll damage you."

Man United are 12 points off fifth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table, with securing a spot in Europe for next season via the league looking to be an almost impossible task for the club this term.

However, winning the Europa League would see the Red Devils qualify for next season's Champions League, while success in the FA Cup would secure a position in the 2025-26 Europa League.

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Written by
Matt Law

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