Since Rubem Amorim brought his 3-4-3 formation from Lisbon to Manchester last autumn, a lot has been made of the requirements of some of the roles that you don’t see as often in a back four.
Wingplay has always been a key part of Manchester United’s footballing identity, so getting to grips with a system that utilises wing-backs and two No. 10s has been interesting, to say the least. Many United fans have questioned aspects of this system.
This discussion is particularly relevant when considering how Rúben Amorim’s side operates in the final third, as there have been some integration challenges thus far in his reign. With Bryan Mbeumo joining Matheus Cunha amongst United’s summer signings, it is hoped that these challenges will be bypassed.
Patrick Chinazaekepere Dorgu and Amad appear set to be the wing-backs supporting them going into the new season, the former having only joined in January himself, while Amad has been one of United’s standout players over the last year and a half.
However, there is one pair of positions in United’s team that don’t receive quite as much attention, but certainly have a key role to play in United’s attack, and those are the wide centre-backs.
Glimpses last season with Martínez, Mazraoui, and Yoro
Lisandro Martínez’s season-ending injury against Crystal Palace was not just such a loss to United because of his quality in United’s defensive third on the pitch, but actually because he was becoming highly influential in the final third.
In January 2025, Martínez had scored goals against Liverpool and Fulham, while also assisting Bruno Fernandes with a wicked delivery from the half-space against Rangers in the Europa League. His influence in the final third was really growing for United, adding a new dimension to his own game too.
It was not just the Argentine who was showing the potential of this role in attack. In November, Noussair Mazraoui assisted Rasmus Højlund against Bodø/Glimt from the right of the back three after some clever play to keep the ball under pressure.
Leny Yoro also began to showcase his quality with the ball towards the back end of last season, growing significantly in confidence to play forwards with the ball more and to carry it out of defence. He assisted Mason Mount’s first goal against Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final.
When platformed in this way, United’s wide centre-backs in the back three have massive potential in the final third due to the areas they end up in, receiving when facing the play, and the fact that there will be less pressure on them compared to wing-backs or attacking midfielders.
Yoro, in particular, may explode next season as a player who could provide “insane” quality on both sides of the back three.
United have strong depth in these positions
The three aforementioned players all showcased specifically how United can impact the final third with the wide centre halves last season. Still, other players can also offer quality from those positions for United.
It is becoming increasingly clear that for whatever is left of Luke Shaw’s Red Devils career, it will be as a centre back as long as Amorim is in charge. The Englishman has consistently demonstrated his immense quality from this position throughout his career.
Shaw’s ability to deliver the ball from anywhere down the left flank and in the half space is a valuable weapon to have in this position. He is also capable of overlapping and underlapping to cause problems for opposition defenders when in the final third.
Ayden Heaven, signed from Arsenal in January, has also looked incredibly impressive in his early days at United. Having spent a chunk of his youth career playing as a midfielder, he has demonstrated clear quality with the ball.
He is highly confident with the ball at his feet and not afraid to take risks or play expansively, making him a potential threat in the final third for Amorim.
So in these positions, United have Yoro and Mazraoui on the right, with both also capable of playing on the left, and Shaw, Licha (when back from injury), and Heaven on the left. Diogo Dalot can also fill in on the right, as can Matthijs de Ligt and young Tyler Fredricson.
United have genuine quality depth in these positions. If utilised correctly, they can not only help United stay solid at the back but also add a new dimension to their attack, something that Amorim desperately needs right now.
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