Manchester United face a stark and urgent dilemma: should they commit fully to Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system and rebuild the squad from scratch, or abandon that approach and try to make the current players work under a different style?
Amorim is unwavering in his commitment to the 3-4-2-1 formation, a system that demands specific player profiles and tactical understanding. Unfortunately for United, their squad is far from suited to this style. The team has been assembled piecemeal over the past decade under multiple managers, resulting in a roster that lacks cohesion and compatibility with Amorim’s approach. While other clubs, such as Liverpool, chose managers whose philosophies matched their squads, United appear caught in limbo, facing the harsh reality that their current squad simply cannot execute the 3-4-2-1 effectively.
This became painfully evident in their recent Europa League final defeat. Despite dominating possession, United created very few meaningful chances, relying largely on errors from their opponents. Individual bursts of creativity from younger players like Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho were brief and insufficient to break through. Established players such as Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Højlund struggled to inspire or influence the game in the way United needed. The team’s performance was a reminder that possession alone is not enough without the tactical framework to make it productive.
The Premier League’s intensity and quality at every level add to United’s challenges. Even the teams near the bottom of the table are formidable, making the league relentless and unforgiving. Amorim himself reportedly expressed surprise at how competitive even newly promoted sides can be. This context helps explain why United, despite some decent runs in Europe, find themselves far from the standards expected at Old Trafford.
Faced with this reality, United have two difficult choices. The first option is to back Amorim completely and overhaul the squad, bringing in players specifically tailored for his system. However, this would require a massive investment, likely hundreds of millions of pounds, a sum United are unlikely to have given their absence from the Champions League and the financial constraints imposed by modern football’s profitability and sustainability regulations. Additionally, the club’s current economic environment, including the costs associated with building a new stadium, further restricts available funds.
The second option is to ditch Amorim and appoint a manager with a more flexible approach, someone who could try to get the best out of the existing squad. Yet this too has pitfalls. Morale appears low, with several key players openly questioning their futures at the club. Many who have left Old Trafford have flourished elsewhere, highlighting a perception that the club is not the destination it once was. This makes attracting new talent difficult, especially players capable of immediately improving the team.
Bruno Fernandes and Amorim themselves have suggested they might be willing to leave if it benefits the club, while young stars like Garnacho have been candid about their frustrations. This unsettled atmosphere threatens to undermine any rebuilding efforts.
Ultimately, United must weigh their long-term vision against short-term realities. Committing to Amorim means patience, sustained investment, and accepting that the team they saw on the pitch this season will be unrecognizable in a few years. Rejecting that plan may bring a quicker fix but could leave the club drifting without clear direction, potentially deepening the malaise.
Whatever path they choose, it is clear this is just the beginning of a long and difficult process. Manchester United are at a crossroads, forced to confront hard truths about their squad, their strategy, and their identity. The choices made now will shape the club’s future for years to come.
