Amorim's Tactical Gamble: Why Manchester United's 3-4-3 Experiment is Faltering

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Written by Nwokoma Chimelum Henry.

Amorim's Tactical Gamble: Why Manchester United's 3-4-3 Experiment is Faltering

Since Ruben Amorim took the reins at Manchester United in November 2024, the club has been mired in a frustrating cycle of inconsistency, epitomized by a staggering 29 Premier League matches without securing back-to-back victories. With just seven wins from those games—a win rate of a dismal 24.1%—the Portuguese manager's steadfast commitment to his signature 3-4-3 formation has come under intense scrutiny. What was hailed as a bold, progressive shift has instead exposed deep-seated issues in squad composition, tactical adaptability, and on-pitch execution, leaving United languishing in the lower echelons of the table and fans clamoring for change.

At the heart of United's woes is the mismatch between Amorim's preferred system and the players at his disposal. Known for his success with a back-three setup at Sporting CP, Amorim has insisted on implementing the 3-4-3 at Old Trafford, but the transition has been anything but smooth. Critics point to a lack of suitable profiles, particularly in central defense and the wing-back positions, which are crucial to the formation's fluidity. The wing-backs, tasked with providing width and defensive cover, are often overworked in the Premier League's high-intensity environment, leading to fatigue and vulnerability on the flanks. As one tactical analyst noted, this setup struggles against common 4-3-3 opponents, with center-backs forced to jump out to mark attacking midfielders, creating exploitable gaps, and dual roles for inside forwards leaving the team exposed during transitions.

Performance data paints a grim picture. Since Amorim's arrival, United have accumulated fewer points than mid-table sides like Crystal Palace and Brentford in the same period, dropping as low as 16th in the standings by the end of the 2024-25 season. The attack has faltered, with the midfield unable to assert control and the forward line failing to click, resulting in a defense that concedes too easily and an overall lack of cohesion. Recent outings in the 2025-26 campaign have only compounded the misery: a winless start, including a 1-1 draw against Fulham where United blew a lead, has seen Amorim's side accused of lacking maturity and forgetting their playing principles under pressure. Amorim himself has acknowledged the need for his players to "grow up a lot," highlighting issues with physical demands and confidence, yet his refusal to deviate from the 3-4-3 has drawn comparisons to relegated managers like Neil Warnock, who shared the same win percentage.

Expert and fan opinions echo these tactical pitfalls. Analyses suggest the build-up shape is too rigid, limiting possession control and reliable pressing, while the system's vertical overloads in midfield often backfire against well-organized defenses. Calls for adaptation—such as switching to a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 to better suit the squad's strengths—have grown louder, with some arguing that Amorim's stubbornness is overworking players and stifling progress in a league that demands flexibility. Even pre-season optimism has fizzled, as evidenced by a comfortable but ultimately misleading friendly win over Bournemouth, which masked deeper structural flaws.

As United stare down a potential crisis, the question looms: can Amorim evolve his approach, or will the 3-4-3 prove his undoing? With the club absent from European competition and pressure mounting, the coming months will test whether this tactical vision can be salvaged—or if a reset is inevitable to restore the Red Devils to their former glory.