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WHEN Ruben Amorim and Pep Guardiola crossed paths in early November, the situation was profoundly different.
Amorim was in charge of his final home game with the league-winning Sporting Lisbon team, while Guardiola’s Manchester City seemed to be navigating a slight setback in an otherwise robust season.
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Fast forward about five weeks, and both managers find themselves in conditions that have undergone substantial changes as they approach Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Amorim steps into Manchester United aiming to embed his tactical vision within a squad that has struggled significantly, as evidenced by mixed performances so far.
On the other hand, Guardiola finds himself at a low point in his managerial career, with City achieving only one win in the last ten matches.
The Red Devils are navigating yet another critical transition that could affect the futures of numerous players currently on the roster.
Meanwhile, the Cityzens have come to the realization that a significant squad renovation will be needed to reclaim their competitive stature.
Despite their individual struggles, this could be an opportune moment for Manchester United to confront their “noisy neighbors,” and below we delve into three tactics Amorim might adopt to outmaneuver Guardiola.
Importance of the Playmakers
In discussions regarding Amorim’s favored tactical setup, many describe it as a 3-4-3; however, this description doesn’t entirely encapsulate his approach.
The two wide attacking midfielders frequently adopt more central positions rather than sticking to the wings while still having the freedom to swap roles, effectively acting as traditional number 10s behind the main striker.
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This strategy fosters a box midfield during offensive phases, positioning two deeper central midfielders alongside two more advanced ones.
This formation enables his team to set up overloads against opposing defenses as they transition through the various thirds of the pitch.
Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest
This approach was evident during the match between Sporting and City, where Pedro Goncalves and Francesco Trincao adeptly navigated their flexible roles in and around the final third.
Both players excelled at creating space for each other, providing multiple avenues for their team to penetrate City’s defensive half.
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The absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has undoubtedly left City vulnerable in the midfield, thereby offering an opportunity for United to exploit this gap during the weekend.
Amorim has tried various players in these advanced midfield roles at United.
However, it appears that Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho are set to fill these positions come kickoff.
Fernandes, in particular, is well-suited to thrive in this setup for Amorim.
The Portuguese international excels when given the opportunity to maneuver through the final third, showcasing an aggressive stance upon regaining possession.
While Amorim’s system has yielded positive results, there have been initial hurdles in these roles at United, with the team currently appearing somewhat sluggish in progressing the ball into key areas.
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In the derby, it is crucial for United to move the ball quickly.
This will enable swift access to transitional spaces, allowing them to evade City’s initial pressure—which remains a major threat—and advance into positions where they can challenge City’s defense.
United Must Be More Aggressive in Transition
It’s common for teams with long-serving coaches to be more proficient in their tactical execution.
This was evident when Sporting played against City in the Champions League.
Zeno Debast, who played right center-back during that fixture, demonstrated impressive ball progression, enabling Sporting to effectively transition out from the back.
Maintaining possession in such scenarios is crucial against a side like Manchester City, which often sets the tempo and forces teams into defensive positions even when they are out of form.
During Amorim’s tenure at Sporting, the players appeared confident and assured when moving from defense to attack.
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Under Amorim, United’s defensive line has faced challenges in retaining the ball, with better performances observed when Noussair Mazraoui operates in a back three.
Lisandro Martinez, positioned as the left center-back, and Matthijs de Ligt, as the central defender of that trio, have been more engaged during defensive tasks.
However, in terms of ball possession, they have exhibited a more passive attitude, lacking the urgency to make forward passes and penetrate defensive setups.
This reluctance to pass decisively has been a significant shortcoming for United thus far in Amorim’s management.
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To optimize Amorim’s system, they need to quicken their ball movement to exploit central overloads before opposing teams can realign defensively.
Against City, particularly one without Rodri, this could be the critical factor determining the outcome.
Quickly Apply Pressure
During his tenure at Sporting, Amorim developed a team that was compact and cohesive, capable of advancing through synchronized phases of play.
This enabled them to swiftly apply counter-pressing tactics upon losing possession in advanced or central areas, aiming to regain the ball quickly.
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This is an area where Amorim benefits from having Manuel Ugarte, who played under him at Sporting until his move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023.
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Ugarte understands exactly how his Portuguese coach wants the team to function defensively and transition when possession is lost.
The midfielder is recognized for his relentless effort, consistently working off the ball to initiate the press and encourage his teammates.
Last weekend, Ugarte was paired with Kobbie Mainoo at the base of United’s midfield.
Together they possess the intelligence and physical prowess needed to effectively generate pressing scenarios and ensure United operates as a united front when it comes to applying and counter-pressing.
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To effectively defend against the ball, United must work collaboratively and implement a coordinated pressing strategy.
Staying compact and rapidly transitioning forward as a unit can curb City’s control over possession, placing United in a stronger position to manage the match.
Final Thoughts
While recent victories against Guardiola and City suggest that a similar outcome is plausible, nothing is assured in this Sunday’s Manchester derby.
United has displayed encouraging signs under Amorim; however, this match introduces a different array of challenges, and it will take time for his tactical philosophy to be fully embraced and executed by the players.
Inside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into job
By Neil Custis
The blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, joined the club in the summer but has departed before Christmas.
SunSport was quick to report in November that tensions were mounting within the management team.
This turmoil led new senior executives to distance themselves from the club’s current plight.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth tried to deflect responsibility by claiming they had arrived too late due to previous garden leave.
New part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe asserted that the decision-making responsibility lay with them.
Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox, who attributed the problems to former coach Erik ten Hag, remained involved despite being part of the group that urged him to stay when other candidates backed out.
The defeat to Nottingham Forest in December, after a dismal second-half performance against Arsenal, turned out to be the breaking point.
