Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has left many questioning his tactics ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Wolves
Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman has joked that Ruben Amorim is “taking the mick” with his Manchester United tactics after having his defensive line warm-up in a back three.
United host Wolves in the Premier League on Tuesday evening looking to build on their win over Newcastle United. The Red Devils beat Eddie Howe’s men thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s first half strike, his first since joining the club from Lecce last January.
In the Boxing Day win, Amorim moved away from his 3-4-3 system to line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dorgu, naturally a left-back, playing as a right winger. Prior to the game, United’s defensive line conducted drills as a back three, before lining-up in a back four.
Amorim remained coy on his tactical plans for the game against Wolves, despite seeming to name a team that would start in a 4-2-3-1. However, Sky Sports caught the United defence once again lining-up in a back three of Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw. Chapman, hosting Sky Sports’ coverage with Jamie Carragher and Ashley Young, poked fun at the tactic by jokingly questioning Amorim’s pre-game methods.
Chapman, hosting Sky Sports’ coverage with Jamie Carragher and Ashley Young, poked fun at the tactic by jokingly questioning Amorim’s pre-game methods. He said: “I think Ruben Amorim is taking the mick out of us a little bit because Manchester United have been warming up in a back three with Heaven on the right and Martinez in the middle and Luke Shaw on the left. Find out if it’s three or a four on Sky Sports.”
Pre-match, Amorim was asked if United fans could expect another surprise in how the team would line-up. However, the United boss refused to give anything away. “No, we just play with 11 players, the formation is not the important thing,” he said. “The important thing is the spirit and our pace during the game and then the formation can change during the game or for the game.”
Despite the warm-up, United persisted with the back four. Dorgu moved over to the left wing with Joshua Zirkzee, replacing the injured Mason Mount, starting on the right. Shaw and Dalot retained their spot at full-back with Heaven and Martinez playing at centre-back.
Amorim confirmed that Mount was forced to miss the game against Wolves due to a “small” injury. The former Chelsea man suffered the issue in the first half of their win over Newcastle.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, Amorim was asked to provide an update on Mount’s injury situation and he explained: “He felt something, but I think it’s small, I think it’s not going to take a long time, but we never know. He’s not ready for this game, but let’s focus on this game.”
Interestingly, when United were out of possession and defending, Dorgu dropped deeper to play as a left wing-back to form a back five. Amorim’s men nearly made the perfect start inside the first 15 minutes when Benjamin Sesko came so close to scoring just his third goal for the club.
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