One former coach has said that Rúben Amorim is playing a “genius” out of position for Manchester United in a damming statement.
When Rúben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag as Manchester United head coach, it became clear that it would take the fan base and wider football fans time to get used to his 3-4-2-1 formation, as United have almost always been a 4-4-2 or 4-4-3 team.
However, now that his first full season has begun, the United squad suits Amorim’s formation, especially Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as the two attacking midfielders behind the centre-forward.
Benjamin Šeško is also an ideal signing for United, as his profile perfectly matches the type of player Amorim likes to play through the middle, while Joshua Zirkzee provides an alternative option up front.
While Amorim has come under criticism for playing key first-teamers out of position – mainly Kobbie Mainoo as a striker and Bruno Fernandes as a defensive midfielder – the squad appears to be balanced as United look to build on their shocking 15th-place finish in the Premier League.
Mowbray criticises Amad’s position
Amad spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sunderland, playing as a right-winger or attacking midfielder in Tony Mowbray’s 4-2-3-1 formation; he scored 14 goals and registered four assists in 42 Championship appearances.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Mowbray expressed his views on Amad’s position under Amorim: “It feels like you don’t have to play 5-4-1, whatever you want to call it. You don’t have to do it.
“If the group of players is screaming at you to play a three-man midfield to protect the mobility of a Casemiro, if you want to play him or whoever it might be. You maybe have to put an extra man in there, so why would you be so stuck on one system and trying to force Amad as a right wing-back?
“Amad, who’s a brilliant footballer, Man United class, I would suggest. I speak to Gary Pallister a lot about this when we sit and have coffee near my street most days. Amad, he’s a genius.”
The former Sunderland boss continued to say: “I talked about not having to look at the ball, the ball’s stuck to his left foot. He is a brilliant football player, and a brilliant human being. And you’re playing him at right wing-back just to fit into your system.
“He should be bending it in the top corner with his left foot, he should be sitting people on their backside and scoring wonderful goals like I know he can. Why’s he chasing people into his own box playing right wing-back?”
Amad position was sealed with Mbeumo transfer
When Mbeumo joined United, it became clear that Amad would spend this season as a right-wing-back because Amorim only likes to play one left-footed attacking midfielder.
While many feel Amad could affect them more when higher up the pitch, it may be better for him playing as a wing-back, as he still has the chance to drive at defenders from the touchline, unlike Mbeumo in the centre.
Also, Amad and Mbeumo have already shown they can rotate when in possession, allowing the Ivorian to cut inside and find space in the middle of the park.
Amorim’s formation allows United to defend in many different ways, and the Red Devils have experimented with a 4-4-2 structure out of possession: the right-centre-back moves wider, and the right-sided attacking midfielder moves inside.
While this works better when Noussair Mazraoui is playing on the right side of the back three, it shows that Amad isn’t restricted in Amorim’s system. And, if anything, it could actually help him flourish.
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