Manchester United entered the international break with three goals and a first clean sheet in ten outings, as the blueprint for a Ruben Amorim attack through defence philosophy was once more evident in victory against Leicester City.
As is often the case in the North West, the allowance of time or a settling-in period for any Manchester staff is not permitted, and a difficult transition from Portugal to England returned a conflicting response from the Old Trafford faithful.
However, with momentum beginning to trend upward and performances starting to feel a little smoother, the former Sporting chief is persevering with his plan to implement his proven structure in the Premier League.
For fans of the continental game, his trademark system and specific requirements supplied almost awe-inspiring scenarios in the Portuguese ranks, with a brand of offensive possession-based football that overwhelmed the opposition weekly.
A tally of 96 goals in the 2023-24 league season, or 2.8 per game, eclipsed the 49 achieved by Sporting during his maiden campaign of 2019-20 – albeit he did arrive at Estadio Jose Alvalade in March.
Many rightfully highlighted the output of Viktor Gyokeres, Paulinho and Manchester United target Pedro Goncalves, but so much of the success of this side – and those of previous triumphs – relied on the structure of their defence and an ability for a back three to manipulate possession and progress the ball forward.
Although his time in England has yielded a small sample size, we can already see the blueprint for Amorim’s ideals playing out and the benefit he has had on several members of a previously disgruntled United defence.
An effective defence will inevitably benefit a formidable attack
First and foremost, it is abundantly evident that Ruben Amorim is a student of the modern game, and his primary aim is to enhance the fluidity of the side by ensuring structure remains at the centre of each transition.
Although it may appear he is hell-bent on applying a rigid 343 system, the design of his philosophy changes many times to reflect an interchangeable offensive shape depending on how far the ball has progressed.
Central to this build-up is the defence and various settings that can rely on anything from the level of opposition to the number of players receiving treatment for injuries.
Fundamentally, the primary starting point appears as a back five with the goalkeeper and a relatively narrow back three that stations itself outside the area.
Often, one of these players will move slightly forward to offer a central choice, while the back pairing acts as a decoy to encourage the rival attackers forward. Additionally, the wing-backs have ample support from defence and midfield when the ball is distributed wide.
But, the beauty of this system will not rely solely on one specific build-up shape, and another variant can inevitably morph into a Ralf-Rangnick-styled cluster of pairings which sees a member of defence positioned alongside a defensive-minded midfielder to counteract an aggressive press.
Through time, patience and perseverance, we witnessed this masterpiece evolve at Sporting, with the 4-1 Champions League annihilation of Manchester City just weeks before Amorim’s departure providing the defining example.
Zeno Debast and Matheus Reis would routinely drop deep to attract the attention of Pep Guardiola’s attacks. Ousmane Diomande and Morten Hjulmand occupied the space directly outside the penalty area, while Geovany Quenda and Maximiliano Araujo inhabited the width on either flank.
Crucially, Hidemasa Morita would press further forward to occupy space behind the aggressive rival press, inadvertently finding ample margin to link with Trincao and Goncalves, with Gyokeres earning a hat trick in the final third.
While individual positioning holds an integral function, the ability to play a starring role during the build-up phases in defence lays the foundation for the attack to prosper. However, injuries have curtailed much progress that Amorim and his team are making on the training ground in Manchester.
Lisandro Martinez is the optimum example here. As highlighted in the table below, his growing importance in this new-look environment was reaping undeniable rewards for his Portuguese chief.
| Premier League 2024-25 | Per 90 minutes | Percentile |
| Key passes | 0.46 | 81 |
| Progressive passes | 6.01 | 91 |
| Crosses | 0.46 | 91 |
| Through balls | 0.26 | 94 |
| xA: Expected assists | 0.07 | 96 |
| Passes into the penalty area | 0.93 | 98 |
While the Argentine’s absence is evident at the heart of this United defence, we have witnessed the growth of Matthijs de Ligt in Red, alongside Harry Maguire’s redemption and the versatility of Noussair Mazraoui.
Furthermore, the emergence of youth has shone impressively through Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro, with the French recruit growing into English football with each appearance.
Although both have endured their battles with injury, Heaven’s brief showings supplied further material to support the longevity of Ruben’s vision for the Premier League side.
The youngster wasn’t dribbled past once in his league debut against Arsenal, and he earned a 100% success rate for every duel contested against Real Sociedad. Furthermore, his overall metrics against the Foxes read like a veteran defender at the peak of his powers.
| Dribbles defended | 100% |
| Tackles won | 100% |
| Clearances | 3 |
| Blocks | 2 |
| Pass Completion | 89% |
| Ground duels won | 83% |
| Successful carries | 2/2 |
This type of success does not just happen by mistake; it takes painstaking preparations and a unified vision in the dressing room.
Of course, the midfield will play a crucial role in this meticulous system, and the battling attributes of Manuel Ugarte with the output of Bruno Fernandes are an integral factor. But, without a precise and coherent defence, this team is built on unstable foundations.
When assessing the importance of width, United supporters can already see the benefits supplied by Patrick Dorgu following his January move from Serie A side Lecce.
Say what you will about the rawness of a youngster attempting to make his mark in the most competitive division in Europe. However, this United group are an infinitely better team with his inclusion.
The Dane is tailor-made for an Amorim team, with a blend of athleticism, physicality, technique, pace and flair – similar to Chelsea-bound Quenda. Additionally, Roger Fernandes has emerged as a prime candidate for consideration in the summer and, like Dorgu, possesses a catalogue of attributes to thrive in the Premier League.
Given the magnitude of precision and expectation of the role, it is unsurprising that Amad returned his best football of the season when deployed as a right wing-back under the Portuguese tactician.
Undeniably, for Amorim to succeed in England, he requires patience, time and backing to implement his unique ideals. Plenty requires rebuilding at Old Trafford, but the playing squad needs to take priority.
An appreciation of the importance of defensive cohesion is a fundamental must in the North West, and from there, anything is a possibility for the 20-time English champions.
How do you feel about Ruben Amorim, his defence, and the future of Manchester United?
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