Coach Ruben Amorim finally changed his playing style, and the 4-defender system brought the first clean sheet in nearly 3 months for Manchester United.
This inevitably leads to a question. Why did Amorim not change until now, after more than a year of being almost framed in a diagram?
The Portuguese captain created a surprise right from the stage of preparation. Man United started with 3 center-backs before entering the 1-0 victory over Newcastle, but the starting lineup showed the opposite. For the first time under his time, the "Red Devils" took the field with a 4-man defense. In the post-match interview, Amorim explained that it was the only way to create more danger, increase the number of chances by having more people in the central area.
That argument is relatively convincing if only looking at this match. But it also raises strategic issues. Man United is not lacking in previous matches where similar requirements also exist. So what makes Amorim wait until now to activate the 4-defender option?
I think that's what we need to feel, that sometimes we can win without playing too well, that we can win the match with spirit and solidarity throughout the team.
I think in the first half, we showed that the 4-man defense was the only way to create more danger, with many players in the midfield area, even to keep the ball.
I remember last year's match, we lost in a one-on-one situation outside the penalty area, so we just tried to visualize the players' playing style to feel comfortable" - Amorim said.
The next noteworthy point comes from his way of talking about Patrick Dorgu - the scorer of the decisive goal. Amorim emphasized that pulling Dorgu up to play higher, closer to the goal helps this player "have less defensive responsibility", have "more freedom" and therefore play better.
This is an assessment that many experts have stated for a long time. Some Man United players are more suitable for the role of attacking in the corridor than being tied in the defensive requirements of the 3-defender structure.
Therefore, the victory against Newcastle is not just 3 points. It is a signal that Amorim has accepted one core thing - tactical flexibility is more important than dogmatic persistence. If he used to maintain a system regardless of personnel and the dien bien of the match, then reality is forcing him to adjust. And that adjustment creates a clear improvement.
The remaining issue is consistency in new thinking. It will become unreasonable if this is just a mandatory exception, and then Man United returns to the state of using only one diagram. What Amorim needs to maintain is not the number 4 or 3 in defense, but the principle. Former Sporting coach must choose the optimal structure according to personnel and match requirements.
Positive signs have appeared thanks to that flexibility. And if Amorim considers this a fulcrum to continue developing, Man United has a more substantive basis to stabilize their position in the group competing for a European cup spot.
We have witnessed a big victory for Man United. Winning in a difficult match, especially in defense, keeping a clean sheet. Must have pride in defense. A not-so-beautiful victory but a big victory" - Amorim added.
