Manchester United now face a stark and urgent dilemma: stick with Ruben Amorim and his rigid 3-4-2-1 system, or overhaul the squad to accommodate a different approach. The situation at Old Trafford has become painfully clear after a difficult season and a demoralising Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Amorim is an uncompromising manager, dedicated solely to his preferred formation. Unlike more flexible managers who might adapt their tactics to suit the players available, Amorim insists on the 3-4-2-1 system, regardless of the squad’s suitability. This rigidity has exposed the fragmented nature of United’s current roster, which has been assembled piecemeal over more than a decade under multiple managers. The squad simply lacks players who can thrive within this formation.
The Europa League final itself was a stark illustration of United’s problems. Despite dominating possession with 72% of the ball, United struggled to create meaningful chances. Their attacking play relied heavily on individual moments from young forwards like Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, while the majority of their chances came from Tottenham errors rather than sustained pressure or creativity. The match was characterized by slow, disjointed build-up play, with an average of nearly a minute between each pass Tottenham completed — a sign of how poor United’s control and tempo were.
Key players such as Casemiro and Harry Maguire, who might perform well in possession-based games, found themselves out of their depth against Premier League opponents, highlighting the gulf between United’s squad quality and the demands of top-flight football. This was underlined by Bruno Fernandes’ earlier comment about how Amorim was surprised by the level of intensity and quality even among the league’s lower-ranked teams. The Premier League’s relentless physicality and speed present a challenge unmatched by other leagues.
With that in mind, United are left with two clear but difficult choices. To continue backing Amorim would require a wholesale transformation of the squad. Only a handful of players from the current roster appear suited to the 3-4-2-1 system—young prospects like Lenny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu, and perhaps Diallo, Mount, or Fernandes. But many others, including established stars, would likely need to be replaced. This kind of rebuild would be both expensive and time-consuming, demanding hundreds of millions of pounds in new signings.
Unfortunately, Manchester United’s financial position does not support such heavy investment. The club’s budget will be tighter than ever without Champions League football, and even with it, the resources available would be limited by financial fair play and sustainability rules. The ongoing construction of a new stadium, while promising future revenue growth, currently represents a significant drain on the club’s finances.
Adding to the challenge is the problem of player morale and retention. Many key players seem disillusioned or open to moving on. Fernandes and Amorim themselves have indicated willingness to leave if it benefits the club, while young talents like Garnacho have openly expressed frustration with the season. Meanwhile, former United players have flourished after leaving, emphasizing how the club’s current situation is hampering individual careers.
Given these factors, the question Manchester United face is whether to place their trust in Amorim’s long-term vision or to switch course to a more flexible managerial approach that might better leverage the existing squad. Either path will be difficult. Rebuilding around Amorim will require patience, money, and a willingness to endure several seasons of transition. Changing managers might bring short-term improvements but risks further instability given the squad’s lack of cohesion.
Ultimately, Manchester United’s future hinges on how much faith the club and its supporters have in Amorim’s philosophy and whether they are prepared for the long, slow process of rebuilding that it demands. This is not a quick fix. The road ahead will be tough, and the choices made now will define the club’s trajectory for years to come.
