28 Oct 2024 14:55:33
British media are all over the Ruben Amorim links. On the face of it I thought it doesn't really make sense as he plays 1-3-4-3 and we have had multiple windows setting up for a 1-4-2-3-1. However, with Yoro, De Ligt and Martinez we could potentially move to a back 3 with Mazraoui/ Dalot playing the RDM role and Shaw/ Malacia playing the LDM role. Mainoo and Ugarte would be perfect for the two CM roles. Højlund can play the focal role in the Amorim system.

The only question for me is if our wingers and Bruno suit the wide forward roles in his system BUT its unlikely they can do any worse than their current output.

Statistically his Sporting team have scored 2.65 goals for every goal conceded. His sporting team average 2.18 goals per game. He turned Sporting into contenders, two leagues and two cups in 4 years is a great turnaround.

1.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:09:00
First time I've ever seen someone put the goalkeeper in a formation.

2.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:27:16
Whoever becomes the new manager, they will implement their own tactics and formation. Some players may find themselves out of favour or not suited to the new managers style. They will either need to adapt or be sold.

A young progressive manager is one option. However I find myself worried at the prospect of another manager being thrown under the bus by the players again.

Ultimately the club needs to move players like Rashford on, who seemingly play on their own terms.

Anyone else feeling like they are repeating previous posts from a few years ago ;)

3.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:30:10
Luke Shaw and Malacia have now both been out injured longer than it took Christian Eriksen to recover from cardiac arrest. Whoever the new manager needs to address getting in a fit left back before thinking about formations.

4.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:38:16
From what I’ve read it seems City are lining up Amorim to replace pep whenever he goes. No idea if that’s true or conjecture based on City taking the sporting director from Sporting in the same way they did with the director from Barcelona before appointing Pep.

I don’t know much about Amorim or how sporting play. Seen a few games in Europe and they looked ok. But so did Ajax under ETH, so who knows.

Not much choice out there for anybody with high level premier league experience. So may have to gamble on a foreign manager with some good experience. Needs to be somebody that can coach and motivate the players and will pick players based on performance and how they fit the system, not on how much they are paid.

I just hope they don’t go for Southgate. That would be a disaster.

I honestly have no idea who I would pick.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester City would like Guardiola to extend and have a preferred choice to Amorim - but he is certainly seen as an option for them.}

5.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:41:54
I'm a fan of Amorim and think he'd be potentially a great option. The Ed's don't think he's a likely option and given the huge cost of releasing him and his coaches from their contracts it doesn't seem like we'll be seeing him in the Old Trafford dugout anytime soon unless it's managing the visiting side.

I actually like the idea of moving to a back three. I know not many sides do it, but maybe it's time to take the lead rather than trying to copy what everyone else is doing.

Having looked at our squad I think a back 3 system actually fits our current squad as much as a back four system would.

For a start it might actually suit the LB issue, as we could either try Antony there as a LWB. Or if not then the reduced defensive pressure on the LWB role might give someone like Amass a chance to play some minutes with less responsibilities than he'd have in a back four.

Players like Maguire and Lindelof if needed are probably better suited to a back three with more cover.

Having a two man midfield suits the limited number of options we have for central midfield. Although the high level of work rate might not suit the aging legs of Casemiro and Eriksen. Ugarte, Mainoo, Collyer and Mount would all be more than capable in those roles.

The width coming from wingbacks actually free up players like Rashford, Garnacho, and Amad to play in the half spaces rather than starting wider. That should suit them.

Højlund could play as a more traditional front man, or Zirkzee as more of a false 9 pulling a CB out of place for the likes of Rashford and Garnacho to run into.

The only player it doesn't really suit is Bruno. That said I think he could do a role as one of the wide forwards in that system very well. Maybe Rashford or Garnacho on the left looking to get into a shooting position. With Amad or Bruno on the right looking to be chief creator in the front line.

That said even if it didn't suit Bruno that is no reason not to play that way. We can't be allowing the needs of a 30 year old player dictate our tactics.

None of the players over the age of 28 will likely be a part of the next United team to win the title. Simply by the time we are ready to seriously challenge they will be in decline and need replacing anyway.

The older players should be the ones having to adapt their game to fit into a new style that suits the majority of the players and not vice versa.

Players like Evans, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno should be trying to fit into the side, rather than building the side around them.

It'll be interesting to see who gets the job and what tactics they look to implement. As you'd think that the next permanent manager should be someone who represents what the new management structure and owners at the club really want to do.

6.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 16:29:40
Mad Hatter - I agree about the players throwing managers under a bus comment. I think a number of players leaving in the summer will help with that situation.

Shappy - Agreed, moving to a back three helps with the midfield/ fullback issues. Evans, Maguire and Lindelof are out of contract in the summer though so that's 3 CBs down plus Eriksen leaving leaves us short on numbers. Replacing those 4 won't be cheap unless we can promote from the academy. We probably need a LB, we tried to buy Olise, which would suggest there is a feeling we need a RW too.

Ashworth/ Wilcox are really going to need to earn their cash with sales to get us out this mess.

7.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 16:56:18
Lot of folk pinning a lot of hope on Yoro - looks like a raw skinny kid to me who could be an utter shambles in PL -who knows.

Outside bet for manager . Eddie Howe . lot of tension atm at Newcastle a move away might suit all parties.

8.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 16:57:09
If the club does move for Amorin, I'd imagine it will be next summer that he will arrive.

Surely the club would want the compensation paid out to SL to go into next year's PSR and not this year's?

9.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 18:26:56
Plenty of players have been far from their best but the biggest issue has been midfield. We literally haven’t had one for nearly two years. Yes being addressed now but mindboggling it’s took this long, he’s not been short of money just shyte at spending it.

10.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 19:07:28
Burren,

He’s certainly a kid and a bloody good one at that, not sure why you’d try and write him off before he’s even played.

11.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 19:51:29
Looks like he’ll be here sooner than everyone thought and the board are willing to pay £8.3m release clause.

12.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 20:58:14
Personally, I think the 3-4-3 would work for United because (from the players we already have and can see coming up) .

1. None of our CBs are particularly quick so the extra body in the middle would probably be helpful.
For instance, a 3 of - De Ligt in the middle providing a solid link between defence and midfield, with Yoro and Licha offering support for the wingbacks. For now Maguire, Lindelof and Evans would respectively be able deputies.

2. Both Dalot and Mazraoui are better on either side as wingbacks than disciplined fullbacks. Shaw lacks the athleticism for wingback and Malacia's never had the good fortune to properly stake a claim.
All 3 of Ogunneye, Amass and Murray are attack-minded players. Additionally, I actually think Antony could be molded into a proper player at LWB, he just needs to pull his head out. Let's stick with Mazraoui on the left and Dalot on the right.

3. Our first-choice midfield pairing of Ugarte and Mainoo would have the additional support of 3 players (De Ligt, Mazraoui and Dalot) to try pressing and swarming the opposition.

4. The wide forwards would need to be Bruno with either Amad or Mount (if he's ever fit) because, as much as Rashford and Garnacho are scary players, they add very little to any phase that requires discipline and control.

The striker should still be Hojlund, but a better team would fit his game better. I'd love to lean towards Zirkzee because his skillset is awesome, but he's more lazy than Rashford.

Now, before anyone pops a vein over my suggested omission of both Rashford and Garnacho, they are each currently just quick and aggressive players with little game IQ - that doesn't fit with a team with so little pace elsewhere.
Both can still improve though.

So for me, 3-4-3 works, but only if the team is equally reflective of it's set up and identity in both defence and attack - that was the main problem before Erik arrived and little has changed.

13.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 06:27:05
Bruno always goes missing when he plays out on the wing.

14.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 06:45:27
People seem to miss that we have a high potential Young athletic left wing back who may benefit from this change of formation, Harry Amass.

15.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 10:28:04
"For a start it might actually suit the LB issue, as we could either try Antony there as a LWB. Or if not then the reduced defensive pressure on the LWB role might give someone like Amass a chance to play some minutes with less responsibilities than he'd have in a back four. "

I haven't missed that at all Red Man ?.

16.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 10:44:56
ED002,

Is Luis Enrique City's preferred option?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

17.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 11:23:27
Cheers ED002.

18.) 31 Oct 2024
31 Oct 2024 16:59:07
Bit wary of how often Amass is mentioned as a viable option like the second coming, he is 17 years old, years off being a first choice.