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Recognizing necessary alterations

Ruben Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation doesn't represent the fundamental issue of Manchester United's difficulties. Old Trafford are recovering from years of poor stewardship and the existing team is still developing, displaying quality in particular roles while obvious flaws continue elsewhere.

However, tactical weaknesses characterize the current tactical approach, especially underloads in central areas and flank vulnerabilities that require immediate attention. Other coaches have effectively handled comparable situations – the former Chelsea boss with Chelsea and the Austrian coach in South London demonstrate that player movement outweighs starting positions.

United's coach recently declared: "Our formation isn't the issue, the results are," which resembles focusing on effects rather than causes. Competitors have regularly exposed identical vulnerabilities in United's setup for almost twelve months, not due to player misunderstanding but as the tactical plan itself has fundamental issues.

Therefore, there won't be an instant solution where everything falls into place, just as costly acquisitions cannot single-handedly fix the fundamental problems. The Bees' latest display acts as an ideal illustration – although they lost their tactical leader and key players during the summer transfer window, they adjusted their formation specifically to exploit the Red Devils' consistent system.

During the Dutch manager's joined Manchester United, it quickly emerged that Eredivisie success couldn't be replicated to English football; his inability to adjust proved decisive in his eventual departure. Currently the Portuguese manager – who appears to have every required attribute for management's greatest challenge other than versatility – is repeating the same pattern and missing an unprecedented opening. Following generations the club has leadership committed to securing victories rather than commercial interests.

Adjusting the outside centre-backs

Flank-oriented stoppers play crucial roles in Amorim's system: they advance with the ball, execute crucial challenges, patrol defensive channels, alter attacking focus, initiate attacks and augment forward play. Any football expert could question whether deploying two of such complete footballers in a three-man defense proves logical when a four-man defense could address midfield shortages.

Currently, these defensive players find themselves restricted by enemy strikers who, through simple positioning, stop them from advancing into midfield as the approach necessitates. This situation enables teams with numerical superiority to bypass the central areas, creating urgent problems that need addressing.

Potential fixes include ordering stoppers to push forward anyway – although this could leave vulnerability at the back – or withdrawing the attacker to improve build-up play, sacrificing attacking threat but utilizing his carrying ability. The smartest modification involves modifying the defensive approach from the existing high-risk formation to a more balanced 4-4-2 that offers improved protection and eliminates the need for stopper to join midfield.

Reintegrating Kobbie Mainoo

United's current tactical plan of chaotic direct football requires United to sacrifice possession and utilize aerial routes, hoping for magical moments rather than structured attacking patterns. Although expected goals data show promise, match observations show that current chance creation result primarily from penalty awards and hopeful shots rather than sustained pressure.

Elite clubs dominate games through rhythm management. The Red Devils' failure to accomplish this doesn't fall solely on the coaching decisions; rumors claim he sought new midfielders during the summer window but encountered resistance from management hierarchy. Regardless of blame, the existing condition remains unsustainable.

The regular central duo of the Brazilian and Portuguese, supported by the Uruguayan serving as alternative, has minimized appearances for Kobbie Mainoo. While legitimate concerns exist about his strength progression and attacking contribution, benching this potential raises questions about the tactical plan's suitability.

The current midfield options personify high-tempo football, whereas Mainoo offers tempo control. During his Portuguese tenure, his side could launch early attacks due to talent disparity against domestic competition, knowing they could win the ball back if the attack broke down. However in the Premier League, the standard throughout means poor retention gets punished immediately, while physical dominance alone doesn't ensure victory.

Mainoo's technical quality stands out, and although combining him with the attacking midfielder generates vulnerability, these weaknesses matter less in a ball-retaining outfit. Accounting for current statistics showing they surrender more high-quality chances than every other team, including the youngster seems worth attempting as different methods have shown limitations. Despite unknown factors about his exact role in this system, regular playing time represents the optimal growth route and probably wouldn't damage the current situation.

Improving wing effectiveness

Down the right flank, the partnership of the two attackers should theoretically work given their complementary qualities of vision, awareness and tenacity. When partnered with the young French defender, they might create an effective combination that improves creative output. Currently however, static movement makes marking straightforward for prepared opponents.

Amorim must implement systematic movement drills that create uncertainty through frequent role switching. Service into wide areas must show diversity – not always to feet but regularly into channels to optimize forward movement. This tactic facilitates cutting inside, bypassing opponents and generating opportunities for scoring opportunities or assists.

Down the left side, the young defender often obtains opportunities in attacking zones despite lacking the technical refinement to utilize productively. Adjusting his positioning slightly deeper would employ his recovery skills and ball-carrying strength to {supply more creative players|service better attackers|provide for