Rúben Amorim made a host of structural changes against Bournemouth on Monday evening, and despite the 4-4 draw, there were plenty of positives to take.
Manchester United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday evening has been widely dubbed as the best Premier League game so far this campaign. But while many have left the game focused on their goals, Rúben Amorim departed with plans for a new structure.
After playing a 3-4-2-1 for the first 13 months of his tenure as head coach, Amorim’s side settled into a more 4-3-3 formation, ultimately ending as a 4-2-4.
The back four was a significant change. While United’s centre-backs have looked good at times in a back three, the full-backs in the squad have often come under considerable criticism for having to play as wing-backs instead.
The change has ultimately come due to three of United’s players, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui, departing for the African Cup of Nations. But when they return, if Amorim maintains the current setup, the side could be positioned for a significant performance improvement.
Building Amorim’s new best XI
The one position that will not change, regardless of formation, is the goalkeeper. Senne Lammens will remain in goal, with Altay Bayındır not trusted and Radek Vitek on loan at Bristol City.
In the defence, the most interesting change against Bournemouth was the role of Leny Yoro. The Frenchman played at right-back when the side was in possession and at centre-back when out of possession. He did well, but this is the type of role that’s perfect for Mazraoui.
Ayden Heaven started at right centre-back on Monday and came under criticism, and when Matthijs de Ligt returns from injury, his experience will be an upgrade. As for left centre-back, it was Luke Shaw, but Lisandro Martínez is the better candidate for the position once he’s fit to start.
Shaw could then move to left-back, the position currently covered by Diogo Dalot. Shaw, who Amorim feels is “world-class”, has previously stated that while he feels he does well at centre-back, he still feels his best position is on the left flank.
Amad is the interesting one. Out of possession, he played like a wing-back, but in possession, he tucked into midfield, almost becoming a third midfielder alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. This is a role that could be shared with Kobbie Mainoo.
Should Amorim want to play a more traditional back four, Mainoo could play alongside Fernandes and Casemiro in a midfield three in a 4-3-3. Still, if Amorim wanted a more defensive structure with a back-five out of possession, Amad could switch with him in the XI.
With Fernandinho and Casemiro bona fide starters for Amorim, playing Mainoo or Amad, depending on the game state or the type of performance the head coach wants to see, is a fantastic source of flexibility, as both are extremely high-quality players.
As for the front three, this is relatively self-explanatory. Benjamin Šeško is the club’s first-choice striker when fit, and having returned from injury against Bournemouth, he’s expected to reclaim his position soon.
Mbeumo did not have a great game on Monday evening but is the clear choice for the right hand wing positoin, althouhg he;s another that could rotate with Amad depending on the game-state.
On the left, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount are both brilliant options who can ghost into space, but the former seems a more reliable pick, while Mount can also fill in in midfield if needed.
Amorim’s best XI after AFCON
Lammens, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martínez, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Šeško, Cunha.
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