Ruben Amorim changes Manchester United formation

Manchester United continue to refine their tactical identity under Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese manager determined to implement a system that balances defensive solidity with attacking flexibility.

The Red Devils have been experimenting in training, blending elements designed to control possession while maintaining a compact defensive shape.

Clubs across Europe are constantly adjusting their approaches, and Manchester United are no different, with careful planning aimed at ensuring consistency in the Premier League campaign.

Senior staff have emphasised the importance of embedding principles of play in training sessions, giving players a clear understanding of positional responsibilities.

Daily input from key figures on the coaching and technical staff has been central to maintaining cohesion within the squad.

One influential voice in these discussions is Jason Wilcox, who has risen from technical director to director of football following Dan Ashworth’s departure as sporting director.

Wilcox, a long-time advocate of the 4-3-3 system that brought Manchester City dominance in England, has held regular talks with Ruben Amorim about the best way to structure the team.

Sources say the pair speak daily and that Wilcox often watches sessions from the touchlines at Carrington, providing tactical insight and feedback in real time.

Amorim has stressed that the team’s system will evolve gradually, and he has used a 4-3-3 formation during parts of training sessions, as reported by The Athletic.

However, this is primarily to familiarise players with specific phases of play rather than to replace his preferred setup.

The Portuguese coach remains unwavering in his commitment to a back-three starting point, famously noting that “not even the Pope could get me to deviate from my back-three starting point.”

The collaboration between Wilcox and Amorim highlights the strategic approach Manchester United are taking this season, blending managerial philosophy with technical oversight.

Players are expected to adapt to the nuances of the system, while retaining the freedom to operate within Amorim’s preferred framework.

The close working relationship between manager and director of football is shaping the tactical evolution at Old Trafford, with the squad learning to balance structure, creativity, and defensive responsibility.