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Acknowledging required adjustments

The manager's favored wing-back setup doesn't represent the fundamental issue of Manchester United's difficulties. The club are recovering from prolonged organizational issues and the present roster is still developing, with strengths in some areas while significant weaknesses persist elsewhere.

However, tactical weaknesses are present in this particular setup, particularly underloads in central areas and flank vulnerabilities that demand solutions. Tacticians elsewhere have successfully managed comparable situations – the Italian manager in West London and Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park prove that player movement proves more important than starting positions.

The manager recently commented: "Our formation isn't the issue, the results are," akin to focusing on effects while ignoring underlying problems. Competitors have repeatedly targeted identical vulnerabilities in the Red Devils' system for multiple months, not resulting from player misunderstanding but as the tactical plan itself has fundamental issues.

Consequently, there won't be a magical fix where everything falls into place, much like expensive signings will not instantly resolve the fundamental problems. Brentford's recent performance serves as a perfect example – even after losing their tactical leader and key players during the offseason, they adjusted their formation deliberately to target Amorim's unchanged tactics.

When the former Ajax coach came to the club, it became apparent that Ajax's playing style didn't transfer to English football; his inability to adjust proved decisive in his eventual departure. Currently the Portuguese manager – who seems to hold all the necessary qualities for management's greatest challenge other than versatility – is following similar errors and missing a lifetime chance. For the first time the club has owners focused on securing victories rather than profit generation.

Modifying defensive roles

Flank-oriented stoppers play crucial roles in United's formation: they carry possession forward, perform defensive interventions, patrol defensive channels, alter attacking focus, start offensive moves and augment forward play. Any observer may ask whether employing a duo of such complete footballers in a defensive trio seems reasonable when a four-man defense could alleviate midfield issues.

At the moment, these defenders are being pinned by rival forwards who, through simple positioning, hinder them from supporting central areas as the approach necessitates. This development enables clubs with midfield overloads to play around United's midfield, creating urgent problems that require resolution.

Available options include ordering stoppers to push forward anyway – although this could leave vulnerability at the back – or withdrawing the attacker to facilitate possession, reducing offensive output but exploiting his driving runs. The most sensible change involves changing the high-press system from 3-1-6 or 3-2-5 to a traditional midfield four that offers improved protection and avoids the necessity for centre-backs to push forward.

Reintegrating Kobbie Mainoo

Amorim's preferred style of impatient attacking requires United to sacrifice possession and utilize aerial routes, hoping for magical moments rather than structured attacking patterns. Despite xG numbers show promise, eyewitness accounts show that current chance creation stem largely from spot-kick decisions and speculative attempts rather than organized offensive play.

Elite clubs control matches through rhythm management. United's inability to accomplish this isn't completely attributable on the manager's tactics; sources suggest he sought midfield reinforcement during the offseason but faced opposition from management hierarchy. Beyond fault allocation, the existing condition remains unsustainable.

Amorim's preferred partnership of the Brazilian and Portuguese, supported by the Uruguayan providing cover, has minimized appearances for the young Englishman. Although reasonable doubts exist about his athletic maturity and forward distribution, marginalizing this ability raises questions about the tactical plan's suitability.

The preferred central trio represent rapid transitions, whereas Mainoo offers pace management. During his Portuguese tenure, his squad could bypass midfield due to talent disparity against most Primeira Liga opponents, knowing they could win the ball back if possession turned over. Yet in England's top division, the standard throughout means sloppy ball circulation receives instant retribution, while pure power exclusively doesn't ensure victory.

Mainoo's technical quality stands out, and while partnering him with Fernandes creates defensive concerns, such deficiencies prove less important in a ball-retaining outfit. Given United's defensive record showing they concede better opportunities than every other team, utilizing the academy product appears reasonable to try as different methods have shown limitations. Despite unknown factors about his specific function in the current setup, consistent minutes represents the best development path and could hardly worsen existing circumstances.

Maximizing flank contributions

Down the right flank, the pairing of the Ivorian and Cameroonian should theoretically work given their complementary qualities of creativity, intelligence and determination. When partnered with the right-sided centre-back, they could form a productive relationship that increases goal threat. Right now however, predictable positioning makes opponents' jobs simpler for structured teams.

The manager needs to introduce organized interchange routines that keep defenders guessing through regular movement. Ball distribution must show diversity – preventing static possession but often into space to enhance offensive flow. This approach allows central penetration, eliminating markers and creating passing lanes for shots or crosses.

On the opposite flank, Patrick Dorgu frequently receives opportunities in attacking zones despite lacking the technical refinement to capitalize effectively. Changing his starting point a bit more defensive would utilize his defensive ability and driving runs to {supply more creative players|service better attackers|provide for