Ruben Amorim has hit a purple patch recently as the Reds go unbeaten in five games. With the backing of the board and players to fit his system, the Portuguese manager has shown the potential to become United’s best manager in the modern era.
Since the great Sir Alex Ferguson retired from management in 2014, Manchester United have had a wide array of managers to continue the legacy the great Scottish manager built.
However, these managers have overwhelmingly failed to keep the Reds at the top level. The club has won five trophies, although remains without a league title or Champions League since the Fergie days.
Various tactics have been tried and tested with sporadic success, yielding many small victories during transitional periods for Premier League rivals. From Louis Van Gaal’s appointment in 2014 to Erik ten Hag’s controversial three-season stint most recently, the Reds need complete reform to revolutionise their future.
That’s where Ruben Amorim differs in my opinion; his tactics, though complicated, have proven effective, which may lead to his being the most tactically competent manager since Ferguson’s departure.
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 is a revolutionary tactic
To understand Amorim’s potential as a manager, we must explore his tactical system and how it differs from the conventional systems used by previous managers.
Amorim has implemented a 3-4-2-1 system since his tenure began at United in early 2025. A fluid, high-intensity system which aims to break down opposition sides through constant pressing, as well as providing sufficient goal-threats through dynamic attacks.
This differs from the philosophies of previous managers, who most commonly used a 4-5-1 formation, notably Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho. While both relied on the quality of players to gain the upper hand over the opposition, Amorim focuses on the tactical system and the specific roles that maximise the players’ potential.
The Portuguese manager found success with this tactic at Sporting Lisbon, winning domestic titles and challenging the elites in Europe. When appointed at United, this system had not been tested in the Premier League before; therefore, Amorim was faced with a mountain of speculation before his first game.
Squawka commented in an article on Amorim’s success: “Amorim was recently one of the favourites to lose his job. Now, with a workable game plan in place, this Man United ship has the wind in its sails and is finally headed in the right direction.”
The unconventional tactic has helped United regain some form in the league recently, now five games unbeaten, and the purple patch has solidified Amorim’s position at the club.
Amorim could become United’s best manager since Fergie
I want to highlight the significant differences between the appointment of Amorim and previous managers. The Portuguese manager had little experience at the top level of management, despite a very successful stint at Sporting Lisbon.
This differed from the club’s previous manager, Ten Hag, who, to some extent, overachieved at Ajax. He worked under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, where he developed most of his management skills.
This was the same for Mourinho and van Gaal, who arrived at the club with a great reputation and were expected to succeed quickly.
All three managers left the club in despair, with dressing room dramas and financial struggles. That is already improving under Amorim, thanks to the support of the new INEOS administration.
It seems things can only get better under Amorim. Fans continue to show their support every week, and morale around the club seems to be the best it’s ever been. As fans, we can only hope things continue to improve.
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