How Manchester United Will Line Up Under Ruben Amorim As Sporting CP Coach Enters Advanced Talks

We’ve analysed Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP team, his tactics, and how they could translate to the Premier League as he edges closer to becoming the new Manchester United manager.

Amorim’s Sporting CP side are currently top of Liga Portugal with a perfect record, having scored 30 goals and only conceded twice in nine games.

Now, reports indicate he is the hot favourite for the Manchester United manager job, following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.

Let’s take a look at which players will be key to how Amorim sets up his United side and which players might have surprise new roles under the Portuguese coach.

Amorim’s Tactical Philosophy

Amorim’s Sporting CP side are renowned for their possession-based, high-pressing style of play. They often line up in a 3-4-3 formation, but the fluidity of their system allows for flexibility.

In possession, they aim to dominate the ball and create chances through patient build-up play, intricate passing patterns, and incisive forward passes. Key to their attacking strategy is the use of wing-backs who provide width, overlap, and support for the front three.

Defensively, Amorim’s teams employ a high-pressing strategy, seeking to win the ball back in dangerous areas. The compactness of the defensive block, coupled with aggressive man-marking and zonal pressing, makes it difficult for opponents to penetrate.

This proactive approach has been a hallmark of Amorim’s success at Sporting, leading to a dominant domestic record and impressive performances in European competitions.

Key Tactical Features:

• Possession-based football: Amorim’s teams strive to control the tempo of the game through intricate passing patterns.
• Aggressive pressing: The team presses high up the pitch to disrupt opponents’ build-up and force turnovers.
• Flexible formations: Amorim often adjusts his team’s shape to suit the specific match situation.
• Wing-back dominance: The wing-backs play a crucial role in both attack and defence, providing width and overlapping runs.

How Will Manchester United Line Up Under Ruben Amorim?

Defence

Amorim’s approach is quite expansive, and although this is largely a good thing for this system (aids build-up), it means that transitions are an area they need to keep on top of.

For this reason, having centre backs with pace is important when defending wide spaces, but also in how they react when they have to defend depth.

The goalkeeper will be instructed to play short to his centre backs from goal kicks in order to bait the opposition press and play through with incisive passing.

This requires top technical quality, so the likes of Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martinez will be particularly important in this regard.

Leny Yoro will likely earn his place in the team as time goes on, but the RCB position could be initially occupied by the almost-forgotten Victor Lindelof.

The Swede’s speed and ability to defend depth behind him will prove useful, and until Yoro’s fit and ready, he is likely the next best option given what that role requires.

Wing-backs

In Amorim’s system, the wing-backs are essentially treated as wingers: high and wide. This stretches the pitch and allows Amorim to play two ‘floating 10s’ in the half-spaces.

The wing-backs are given a lot of attacking freedom, but they are also expected to work hard defensively.

Luke Shaw’s persistent injury problems leave United with a lack of ready-to-go wing-back options in the squad, creating the first dilemma for Amorim.

Noussair Mazraoui could be comfortable in the role, particularly on the right, but Diogo Dalot less so – it’s just not his game.

It could be possible that Amorim will turn to one of his wingers to play wing-back initially, namely Alejandro Garnacho.

Midfield

In midfield, Amorim often deploys a double pivot, pairing two players of different profiles to complement each other.

Kobbie Mainoo is well suited to being the slightly more attacking midfielder of the two. The 19-year-old is effective at linking play in the final third and is also comfortable receiving and picking up responsibility in the build-up.

His midfield partner will be Manuel Ugarte, who actually worked with Amorim at Sporting CP before moving to PSG for £50 million.

Ugarte will already have a good understanding of the system and will be instructed to sit and patrol in the centre of it all, screening the defence.

Forwards

The attacking three in this team have three different roles. Bruno Fernandes will likely be Amorim’s Pedro Gonçalves, who has racked up 36 goal involvements since the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

In this role, Fernandes will operate the half-space and be the creative focus of the team. His output and ability to work within tight spaces make him a great fit for the role.

Mason Mount is another player who could operate in this role. The former Chelsea player is an intelligent and selfless player, and at his best, could be crucial in getting the best out of Rasmus Højlund.

Speaking of Højlund, he will be Amorim’s answer to Viktor Gyokeres, who has been absolutely incredible under Amorim. Since the start of last season, the Swede has scored 48 goals and registered 14 assists.

On paper, Amorim is a perfect coach for Højlund’s development. The Sporting CP boss likes his striker to stay central and stay on the last line, looking to run in behind.

This suits Højlund to a tee. He won’t be required to be involved as much in general play, and he will probably get fewer touches of the ball, but his goal numbers should shoot up.

As for the right-sided #10, this could be tricky for Amorim, but perhaps Amad Diallo is most suited to the role.

Marcus Rashford and Antony are other contenders for that third attacking role – both offering different attributes – so it could be an area where we see Amorim chop and change.

There’s also a likelihood Garnacho will often play there, particularly if Shaw’s available to play left wing-back.

Ruben Amorim Predicted Manchester United Lineup

via lineup-builder.co.uk