Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Manchester City in Sunday's derby increased the pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim and raised more questions about his favoured 3-4-2-1 system.
Amorim reiterated his commitment to it despite the result. "I'm not going to change," he said. "When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man."
It is understood the club remain patient and have no plans to change their head coach. But can Amorim's three-at-the-back set-up still bring success to Old Trafford, or is it doomed to fail?
Between the Lines returns with a look at his approach, a breakdown of how formations have evolved in the Premier League, and an examination of the system's issues at Manchester United.
Amorim's three-at-the-back faith
When Amorim says he won't change, history suggests he means it.
He has started with a back three in 189 consecutive league games as a head coach since his appointment as Sporting boss in 2020.
His most popular variation is 3-4-2-1, which he has used in 119 of those 189 games, including all four of Manchester United's fixtures in the Premier League so far this season.
He has used a 3-4-3 a total of 68 times, with the only other variation being 3-5-2, which he has used twice since 2020.
His three-at-the-back system brought him great success at Sporting, where he won two Primeira Liga titles in four years and gained a reputation as one of the most exciting managers in Europe. But it has been a different story so far at Manchester United.
Amorim's win rate in league games has plummeted from 77.2 per cent at Sporting to just 25.8 per cent at Manchester United, making it the lowest of any manager in the club's history.
Having taken just 31 points from his 31 games, Manchester United sit bottom among ever-present Premier League teams since his appointment, with twice as many losses (16) as wins (eight).
Why Amorim is in a minority
So how unusual is his system? Data for the last two decades gives a picture of how formations have evolved in the Premier League.
The favoured formation, by a considerable distance, is now 4-2-3-1, with 4-4-2 having dramatically declined in popularity. The 4-3-3 formation has also steadily increased in usage, albeit with a slight drop-off in the last two seasons.
The graph above shows an increase in popularity for Amorim's favoured 3-4-2-1, which was barely used prior to 2015 but became more popular with Chelsea's title win under Antonio Conte in 2016/17.
The formation is now at its peak in terms of usage in the Premier League, although that is largely due to Amorim's devotion to it.
He has used a back three in all of his 31 Premier League games but Crystal Palace and Wolves are the only other sides to have consistently used the system in that timeframe, ensuring Amorim's side remain in a minority in a league dominated by back fours.
The issues undermining his system
Crystal Palace's success under Oliver Glasner, having won the FA Cup last season and qualified for Europe on a modest budget, proves a 3-4-2-1 formation can work in today's Premier League, so why is it not happening for Amorim at Manchester United?
One issue is that they are still struggling to score goals. Despite spending more than £200m on the signings of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko this summer, Amorim's side have only found the net four times in four games so far.
Amorim can feel confident that those players will improve their output as they settle but he needs more from his wing-backs too. Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui, his starters at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, have one Premier League assist and no goals between them in 52 Premier League appearances combined.
The worry is that Amorim doesn't have enough attacking potency among his wing-back options and it is similarly difficult to see an immediate solution to the side's issues out of possession, many of which stem from midfield, where Amorim is now using Bruno Fernandes as part of his two.
Fernandes' incisive passing allows Manchester United to launch quick attacks from the base of midfield but he is now spending less time in the areas in which he is most dangerous. His defensive deficiencies are also being punished routinely.
For Manchester City's first goal on Sunday, Fernandes switched off and left Phil Foden free to head in Jeremy Doku's cross.
The same lack of defensive awareness allowed Emile Smith Rowe to run beyond him and score Fulham's equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage last month, as shown below.
Fernandes is not the only one struggling in Amorim's midfield, with team-mates Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo all lacking the athleticism to cope with the demands of the role.
Manchester City's second goal on Sunday, when Ugarte was dragged out of position to make an unsuccessful attempt to press Nico O'Reilly, showed how quickly they can become stretched.
"It's a problem and it's happening in a lot of the games that Manchester United are playing," said Sky Sports' Gary Neville.
"They start off really compact, where all 10 players are connected. Five at the back, two midfielders really close to that five, and then the three in front cuddling that two, so they are really protected.
"But if the game becomes a little stretched, which usually happens if Manchester United concede a goal, then those two look wide open and you can't deny that."
It doesn't help that the centre-backs behind them are reluctant to come out and press opposition players who get beyond the midfield, a weakness articulated by Alex Iwobi after that 1-1 draw against Fulham. "We knew that we would be able to get behind their two midfielders and their centre-backs wouldn't want to jump, so we exploited that," Iwobi told Sky Sports.
Fernandes has acknowledged the issue too. "We need people to be very aggressive in the moment of pressure," he told Sky Sports on Sunday. "We need to get the moments of jumping because if not the midfield gets every time overloaded.
"If you're not brave enough to do that, it's very difficult. They will find the gaps and the spaces to play because we're playing against a top team, we're not playing against a bad opponent."
And as Fulham and Burnley have already shown this season, it is not just the top teams who are punishing the weaknesses in Amorim's system. He has no plans to change but does he really have the personnel, either in midfield, or in his back three, or at wing-back, to make it work? Right now, their prospects do not look bright.
Last time's Between the Lines
We crunched the numbers on Premier League spending in the last edition of Between the Lines, unpicking some of the trends that defined a record-breaking summer transfer window.
Lovebug2
0
Winning the Portuguese League is like avoiding relegation in EPL
Cekabcpsy
0
All few coaches who sticks to such idea of using 3 at the back means that their plans are working sweetly for them. But even that, they switch quickly to another formation during the match, especially if their initial plan refused to work as expected. The problem now is that why can't Amorin try even for once to change his usual formation of playing 3 at the back to a more modern formation of 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 since he knows quite sure that his desired old formation is not producing fruitful results match in match out? The dude is simply arrogant and afflicted with so much ego. He don't just want to accept defeat of his failed idea. Every match requires different approach with different formation base on the particular situation of the match. And a switch of the formation can take place immediately once the initial one refused to work well as the match proceeds. His attitude is not just about being stubborn, it's insensitivity and devilishness.
mapbcelt
0
amorim wants to be sacked. he wants to leave, but he also wants the huge pay-off, and doesn't want people to think he quit because he couldn't handle it. he's telling the club to sack him
Cakbdilpuz
0
to much pressure for the keeper, to much pressure on Bruno.
Hedabdmn
0
3421 pomation with out good wing back is not working. durgu mazraoui dalot shaw all of them is not good enough.for that system
dupdeklnpz
0
You have to change the man🤣
momenhuda
1
3 CB system need good attacking wing back, otherwise you have no wing play because this system have no winger thats why Amorim out all winger and buy no winger.
Mitchello2
0
What you said, does it make sense to you? lol
Perhaps you should learn to read properly maybe then it will make sense
oldtrafford22
0
he should be sack now or else man utd will go to relegation
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
0
They will change you from the position before you chenge the formation. The man united worst coach ever. Sack him as soon as possible
he will learn the hard way
Rehcepryz
0
Amorim says he will not change the system and that it the INEOS does not like it he should change the man meaning he should be changed. meaning sack me
Sprito Santo
Rehcepryz
0
Y'all blaming Amorim philosophy does United have defenders? Amorim will use that format at Arsenal and succeed the problem is that administration not the coach
[image]
They had time to fix it instead they bought others.
Rehcepryz
0
Knowing…..
Rehcepryz
2
Mowing the guys at Man u, next transfer to the team will be Paul Pagba 🤦🏻♂️🤬
Febacptu
4
Portuguese league is not Epl
mioadmru
1
if u dont wont change u must go because chelsea is not small team they will beat man u 4-0
Jondilmny
1
They will change you from the position before you chenge the formation. The man united worst coach ever. Sack him as soon as possible
kingpromise345
2
Y'all blaming Amorim philosophy does United have defenders? Amorim will use that format at Arsenal and succeed the problem is that administration not the coach
Casbdeklop
1
Glasner should be ready to succeed Amorim when he's sacked. A coach with PL experience is good. He should come and teach the board how to buy cheap and good players like Guehi and others
Casbdeklop
0
Amorim's resignation is better than sacking. He's waiting to be sacked and paid heavily for contract termination like Maurinho. He wants to earn much money from sacking than from coaching like his country man Maurinho
Casbdeklop
0
Amorim says he will not change the system and that it the INEOS does not like it he should change the man meaning he should be changed. meaning sack me
Nuabcdknrz
1
Sack Amorim appoint Nuno Espirito Santos simple.
Nuabcdknrz
2
Sack Amorim appoint Nuno Espirito Santos simple.
Tibbcdempu
0
whoever supports Amorim is a lunatic and man u board are lunatics no sane man does one thing over n over again sees it's not working but still does it n expect miracles he has played over 100 matches with 343 and it does nothing y insist on it or do u tink it will wrk after 1000 times of trying while smart coaches innovates and chng styles in other to get results n beat opponent Mr 343 prefers to die with his formation Dan adapt and we all know wat happens to any specie dat fails to adapt de go extinct
ome33
2
Also, you have a problem when you want to convert a winger into your back 3. why do you want to add shaw or sometimes Mazrouari as a central defender? It won't work
Vowadeipru
1
please we are begging the man utd to hire mike Carrick or van nistelrooy to replace Amorim.
sebbcsty
3
guys tell the coach to his system of 3 players at back and use the system of 4-3-3 please I'm from Namibia 🇳🇦
rotaeklmry
1
Luke shaw is worst man u player when is playing the back tree hi can win ball hi can spirit always going back with ball and very slow on the ball pls coach do something before is too late
Mwelwa33
0
this formation i can also still win with the same players he has, it's just some small details.
rasbdimru
0
United survived relegation last season because of our prayers, now we are going towards that direction again this season
Jeclprsz
0
if I were the captain we enter and dictate the formation when
Vowadeipru
1
Honestly, the problem of Manchester united is the coach and not the players. Onana was expected to pull out miracles with a non-existent defensive midfield and fragile defence. Onana and the players of the 'bomb squad ' will shine in their new respective clubs as mactominay did in Napoli last season. Amorim knows only the 3-4-3 system and doesn't have high quality players needed. It's ludicrous to have a coach who obstinately uses the same system of play that brings failure all the time. Amorim is not good for man utd and should be sacked before is too late to be saved from delegation. As a matter of fact, Amorim should had been sacked after the debacle with Grimsby town.
wawabcmsyz
0
that formation only works for players who are willing to run and control ball possession , don't expect Luke shaw , Ugarte and Bruno to make that work while they can not even control the tempo of the game and Maguire needs to be in that XI not Yoro
I still don't understand how Maguire is on the bench in a 3 defense system where he'll be best suited. You need someone with a brain and has eyes for passes and have aerial dominance to play as the central centre back. That's exactly what Maguire will give ahead of De ligt
IshimweSteven
1
1st I love this formation 3-4-3 but not like they use it form me there are three CB who have defending role only one Typical CDM who helps a lot in defense one CM who helps to attack and control the temple of game and have two width midds they're work is helps in possession and pressing in middle of pitch and helps attack left midd and right midd two width forwards they're role is to attack score goals or assist to make sure the opposition width defender doesn't attack to keep them in defense and one Typical ST who have only to finish the game that's how I'll use this formation 2rd today's game there are videos of how game played if this system doesn't work or opposition manager learn it and defende it well I ll change it because no matter what the system u use what needed is win
King185
0
3 at the back, 4 at the back, 10 at the back, nothing can save United.
Bokcelmopt
0
Bokcelmopt
0
Nastin237
0
Why are people complaining about 3-4-3 formation when those united players has played under 4-3-3 formation untill Amorim and where still shit. It’s not the manager but players unable to play in any positions.
You can use 3:4:3 when your wingbacks are excellent with the ball at their feet that means they can drop into the midfield to help control the tempo of the game Amorim is so stupid he doesn’t realize he doesn’t have the players right players for the formation 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ he’s a small club coach i would bet wolves is a best fit for such a rigid manager
Bokcelmopt
0
Bokcelmopt
1
wimlmpru
1
amorim is the biggest problem
Bokcelmopt
1
bancknpt
5
Formations are not meant to be static must/should be dynamic during a match. You can start with one formation and quickly switch to another and another again in course of a match depending on the interpretations or how the game is unfolding by technical staffs/coach inclusive. You made start a match with one formation and finish it with a totally different formation. Is it forbidden to change formations in the course of the game???
King_Martins_Lover
0
For me, I think we need three midfielders then. Since the two are always been beaten. It's time he tries maybe 3-4-1-2.
Jace111
1
Why are people complaining about 3-4-3 formation when those united players has played under 4-3-3 formation untill Amorim and where still shit. It’s not the manager but players unable to play in any positions.
Man U was never this worse.. we can’t brag a back to back win
yipklorsuy
2
No more dorgu we need mainoo we’re tired please
kaainosyz
0
Amorim, what is your plan B??
Niccdortu
0
When he played the same system on day 1 of the season even a fool could see how exciting the football Amorim plays is. That's why he was hired. Chances that were created were not converted but everyone who is normal was satisfied with what they saw. A loss to Man City at the Etihad isn't honest enough a reason why all these journalists and pundits ( linked to betting houses) are throwing their hands in the air. There are descent teams in the EPL with 4 points but the outcry is selective and targeted at Amorim because underworld bets and ones above board that run into huge millions have been placed and the media is the tool to make it possible. The fake news and false headlines are of a criminal nature that should be investigated. There is a difference between speculation and active interference to get someone fired in order to collect a secret reward. Lawless society if you ask me!
fehceinprz
0
Amorim should be sacked. we cannot continue taking his worries for granted. He has failed MUN.
Problem is with players not manager if you can’t still see this your eyes are rotten. The players played in 4-3-3 until Amorim came but they still were still shit. The mentality of players are shit.
Vababcdpry
1
am just waiting for his sacking.