Manchester United tactics: Why Ruben Amorim’s gameplan isn’t working

What we have established is, my amorim, rather than individuals who beat their men, playing a positional football style that looks at better opponents through overloads.

The way to do this is certain transition routines.

United built with three in the back. These defenders are trying to play a flat transition to the attackers who try to reach out to a teammate – usually a central midfielder – to a teammate looking for a ball on top.

In the world of coaching, this is sometimes called ‘upward’ by referring to the field, then to passing back and then to the wholesale.

The reason for passing directly to the attacker is to convince the opposition center to follow the attacker, which can open space for a united player to enter. The player in the back can then play a cross for his teammates who come to the box.

United Captain Bruno Fernandes was criticized for playing long transitions instead of getting more touch, but under the instruction, amorim wants to leave behind the attacker or the back of the wing.

With these schemes, which are based on playing with less touch, players with more – or centralized players such as Mainoo are less natural harmony.