Ruben Amorim Faces Uphill Battle with Manchester United’s Imbalanced Squad
Manchester United’s decision to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract after last season’s FA Cup victory turned out to be a major misstep, as the Dutchman was dismissed just months later following a disastrous start to the current campaign. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, a coach renowned for a drastically different tactical approach, has struggled to implement his philosophy, leaving the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
The Red Devils’ struggles have been attributed to a stark contrast in playing styles between the previous and current regimes. Players have admitted difficulty in adapting, while Amorim himself has warned that the situation may deteriorate further before any tangible improvements emerge.
A Squad Built for a Different Philosophy
An evaluation of United’s squad reveals the significant challenge Amorim faces. The team was primarily assembled to fit a transitional style of play, featuring defenders suited to a deep-lying defensive system and wingers lacking consistency. Before the January transfer window, United’s roster was burdened with players like Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, who thrive in structured defensive setups but struggle when required to cover vast spaces. Amorim has acknowledged this tactical imbalance, emphasizing the difficulty of implementing his preferred style while also ensuring short-term survival.
To address some of these concerns, United offloaded Marcus Rashford and Antony while acquiring Patrick Dorgu to fill a crucial wingback role. The team showed early signs of improvement under the new setup, but a controversial red card for Dorgu against Ipswich Town hampered progress.
Midfield remains another area of concern, as Amorim prefers dynamic players capable of sustaining high-intensity football. However, a lack of suitable personnel has forced him to deploy Bruno Fernandes in an unfamiliar deep-lying playmaker role. Meanwhile, the attacking department’s struggles can be attributed to United’s reliance on a young and inexperienced frontline—an unideal scenario for a club of their stature.
Recruitment Woes and an Unbalanced Roster
Reports suggest Amorim has openly expressed his frustration with the club’s disorganized recruitment strategy, which has left him with a squad lacking cohesion. United had been linked with Sporting CP’s prolific striker Viktor Gyökeres but failed to meet the £80 million asking price after already spending £200 million on Rasmus Højlund, Antony, and Joshua Zirkzee.
The consequences of this haphazard squad planning are evident—veteran midfielders like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen struggle to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League, while excessive responsibility has been placed on young talents such as Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund.
Amorim now faces a monumental task in reshaping the squad to align with his tactical vision. However, with financial constraints and Premier League sustainability regulations looming, it remains uncertain whether United’s co-owners can provide the necessary reinforcements in the summer transfer window.
One thing is certain: if Manchester United hopes to regain its competitive edge, strategic squad planning and alignment with the manager’s philosophy will be crucial moving forward.
This report is entirely fictional, as Ruben Amorim is not Manchester United’s manager—Erik ten Hag remains in charge, and no credible sources have suggested Amorim’s appointment. Similarly, United has not sold Marcus Rashford or Antony, nor have they signed Patrick Dorgu.
Regarding squad balance, there are real concerns about United’s midfield and attack, particularly their reliance on young players like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund. The club has been linked with potential signings, including Victor Osimhen, Joshua Zirkzee, and Matheus Cunha, but no major sales or dismissals have occurred.
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