4-4-2 looks good, Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim abandoned his usual 3-4-3 formation for the first time since becoming MU’s coach by testing a new system in the match against Bournemouth. The good news is that Amorim adapted well, and MU performed decently with this setup. This could be a solution for MU.

Recognition for Amorim

After repeatedly harshly criticizing Manchester United’s “dull” and lackluster urgency in matches against Everton and West Ham, Gary Neville completely changed his stance following the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth. He described it as an “emotionally brilliant performance.” The former MU captain’s view on the team’s play against Bournemouth: “This is a total contrast to previous games. I accept this result because they played with clear intent, high tempo, and always pushed forward.”

Agreeing, Jamie Carragher praised it as the best game from the Red Devils since Amorim took charge. The Liverpool legend was especially impressed by the first 30 minutes when the home side took 17 shots. Carragher commented:“It reminded me of the era when MU was managed by Sir Alex Ferguson – fast attacking football, full of energy, and overwhelming pressure on the opponent. Although the score was 4-4 and Bournemouth nearly won, MU was clearly the better team. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was watching a true Manchester United.”

Critics of the Portuguese coach say he has been too conservative with the 3-4-3 system since replacing Erik ten Hag last November. This formation was very successful at his previous club, Sporting Lisbon, but has proven less effective at Old Trafford so far. As Amorim himself admitted, he only changes when necessary and no one can force him otherwise, not even the Pope. Initially, in theory, during the Bournemouth match, we might not have noticed many changes even though Amorim acknowledged MU’s ability to play with four defenders.

However, once the match started, MU’s style with the ball seemed different. Yoro played as a right-back while Shaw moved inside to play alongside Heaven, and Dalot was positioned on the left flank. Amad, instead of acting as a wingback, often stayed on the right wing in attack and did not drop back much defensively since Yoro covered that. The left wing belonged to Mount, Casemiro was the defensive midfielder, and Fernandes was pushed further forward. The forward duo was Cunha and Mbeumo. It resembled a 4-4-2 more when Bournemouth had possession.

The first half with this slightly unusual setup saw MU play much better. As Carragher mentioned above, MU took 17 shots in the first half, the highest by any Premier League team this season, with an expected goals (xG) value of 2.62. To some extent, the Red Devils played safely and secured their position in the first 45 minutes. This foundation gave Amorim confidence in the change, especially as Mbeumo and Diallo will temporarily leave Old Trafford to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.

But...

Overall, MU was not bad but the worst part was conceding 4 goals. A defensive lapse in the first half allowed Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo to equalize, despite MU dominating the game beforehand. After the break, Bournemouth exploited MU’s defensive instability again by scoring 2 goals within 6 minutes from 46 to 52, taking a 3-2 lead. This recurring issue has plagued the Red Devils recently, conceding at critical moments. Shaw, the most experienced, made an inexplicable mistake; Yoro has good awareness but slow reactions; Heaven is still far from expectations. Amorim will need to reconsider his choices since Lisandro Martinez is also available for center-back and Dorgu for left-back. Likely in the next match, Amorim might pair Lisandro Martinez with Yoro centrally, move Dalot back to right-back, and have Dorgu cover the left flank. Having players on their natural foot and side is always preferable to playing out of position.

This raises the question of whether coach Ruben Amorim can find a solution, especially as MU approaches the most intense phase of the 2025/26 season, the year-end "marathon." Although Manchester United has improved offensively, with key players like Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo participating in the Africa Cup of Nations and a shaky defense, the challenges ahead for Old Trafford are significant.

Looking at the current situation, Manchester United has slim chances to compete for the title as they continue dropping points while both Liverpool and Sunderland closely follow. The 4-4 draw against Bournemouth served as a warning about the club’s inconsistency, especially as they have a relatively relaxed 2025/26 season without European competition. To secure a top 4 spot and a Champions League berth, MU needs a major overhaul, particularly in their defensive approach.

Premier League is still a long way off and anything can change since the teams above are only slightly more stable than MU, except for the Man City and Arsenal duo. Upcoming matches will be opportunities for Manchester United to fix defensive weaknesses and build necessary consistency. They still have talented players and a strong attack, and if their defense improves, Ruben Amorim’s squad can fully compete with other contenders. The question remains: when will MU stop conceding such silly goals?