Ruben Amorim - Manchester United Head Coach | Thread locked during matches

chris123 said:
System has started to click with Amorim fully committing to Bruno as an 8 and with proper wing backs playing on their correct side. Bruno in that deeper role dictating play is definitely something we can build around now. Just need a more physical presence next to him.
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We got Ugarte and Collyer, they're good.
Just need them to stay fit.
 
Potentially 5 games away now from saving the trajectory of the club. Everything in the league should be focused on preparing best for those matches.
 
Starting to see signs of improvement. I think the performances in the last five matches have been steady - not sure I'd say we were obviously second best in any of them. That's a lot more than you've been able to say about us for most of the season, even if we didn't get the result we quite wanted against Fulham.
 
Good for Amorim, backed by the owner in public this week and a big Europa win. Team is improving and there is definitely more balance with Dorgu on the left.
 
This thread gained 3 pages since final whistle of a great performance.

If we had lost, it would have been 20+ pages already.

Why are people so desperate to criticise and ready to spam frustrated and hateful comments all day, but prefer to stay silent when there's praise to be given?
 
GaryLifo said:
As I've been arguing, it's going to take time, but there have been structural and tactical improvements, as well as a big upturn in players putting in a shift, for several weeks now. I'm sure there will still be bumps this season but really liking the gradual improvements, especially given the injury crisis.

Heaven looks a real find
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Completely agree!
 
We've looked better the last few games. And we've even been more attacking and taking more risks I think. I hope this is the first signs of us recovering.
 
I much rather incremental improvements like these as they seem more sustainable and grounded within the coach’s philosophy. Less about special moments of ‘genius’.
 
GaryLifo said:
As I've been arguing, it's going to take time, but there have been structural and tactical improvements, as well as a big upturn in players putting in a shift, for several weeks now. I'm sure there will still be bumps this season but really liking the gradual improvements, especially given the injury crisis.

Heaven looks a real find
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Agreed. And Credit to Amorim for fast tracking Heaven’s development to the first team.
 
Give him 3 years and the world will fear Manutd once again. His vision is absolutely perfect, now all he needs is the means to achieve it and the patience of this fan base.
 
I like the fact todays game happened, as it showed glimpses of what it would look like, particularly on the counter. It also shows what we are missing and why certain elements of the system haven't worked.

a. We haven't the the physicality to win the ball back and directly attack
b. We haven't had the athleticism in the front 3 to create enough chaos in the midblock to lead to dangerous attacks
c. We haven;t had the combination of dribbling and athletic ability to make deep runs on and off the ball and drive through the middle of the pitch
d. We haven't the decision making, creativity and quality to take advantage of attack opportunities.
e. Out keeper is rather unstable in his actions
f. We needed time to get the shape of the back 3 solid

We have some players in the squad who haven't been available that can provide some solutions. However, we would be a much better side with more athletic players in this team. The system can clearly work. Imagine the attacking chaos that could be provided with athletic and dynamic attackers like Amad or the benefit a fast thinking central midfielder who can collect the ball from defence would have on this team. Imagine having a midfield that could go toe to toe with other teams in the league athletically and how that would allow the individual brilliance of some of our players come through.

This system reminds me of an old 442, where it can cover ground defensively due to having a naturally strong structure, can open up the game due to the wing backs, yet can allow for strong and direct attack through the middle or on the flanks. Like that old 442, athleticism is its main ingredient.
 
Heaven was given the chance to shine and he did. Well done to Ruben Amorim for making the brave call of going with the youngster over the experienced Lindelof. Personally, I was not that surprised as he did this at Sporting and did it often, to great effect. Overall, that was the most enjoyable match I have seen the players play for ages. No added stress, just football...which at times, was superb. Zirkzee has skill, guile and can move when he needs to. He looks like a nice fit playing off the main striker. Bruno was exceptional, he really seems to fit that deeper playmaking role. Dorgu is a breath of fresh air. The natural left footed player that has been needed for so long. He brings great energy, enthusiasm, drive...and honestly (SHOCK, HORROR...IT DOES EXIST IN FOOTBALL!!!)

Ruben Amorim, lots of work to do...but good signs of late. Onwards & upwards.
 
#07 said:
In fairness to Amorim, although I'm not a believer, we have been improving from a low baseline.

I would really love to win the Europa League. I think it would help everyone buy into his project a bit more (myself included).

Was a bit worried by our pressing structure early in the first half, particularly with how high the wing backs were getting and how easy it was making for Sociedad to get through us. But he seemed to adjust it a little bit to be more of a 4-4-2 out of possession, with Dorgu very high, and Dalot dropping in. That stemmed the bleeding and from there, while we weren't spectacular, we never really looked like losing.

My dream outcome would be by this time next year we're all discussing if we can beat Arsenal's 50 game domestic unbeaten record or whatever it was. I don't believe but I'd like to. I really would. Be great to be proven wrong.
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I actually think over time, this will end up being a solid system that will make it difficult to beat us. I really like our shape defensively and have currently struggled because our midfield and attack don't have the athleticism to cover space and provide pressure. I think we will end up there and already have personnel in the squad that can support this ( Amad, Mount, Bruno), but obviously need to go to the transfer market to improve in our athleticism and attacking quality. I think the system's solidity puts our players in prime position to attack directly when we recover the ball. Unfortunately, we don't have the available quality in the squad to exploit these opportunities at the moment. Even in today's game, there were many instances in which our attackers could not make the right decisions or struggled to release the ball. Zirkzee looked great today and may be improving, but its also obvious that the Europa league is less physically challenging form him, hence allowing him to shine. If we can have athleticism and quality ( which obviously exists) that can at least be at an average standard, I suspect that we would do a lot better than people could actually imagine.
 
I still think he is getting a lot of things right. Even when things haven't gone well, the decisions he makes are making sense to me. There are small things like Dorgu's debut being on the right but for the most part I can see the logic.
 
You get a feeling that Ruben is starting to get the players pulling in the same direction now. Still early days but good signs.
 
Definitely seeing tangible, gradual improvements in the past few weeks. Deserved to beat Arsenal and Sociedad last week as well. Players are gaining confidence and starting to understand what is needed (physicality, doing the basics right). Dorgu and Heaven very impressive, just shows what having players with the right profile can do for the system. It's a slow burn, but Amorim has definitely been building us up from the foundations, that's why it took a while but the results are starting to show. Still a ways to go though, but optimistic about the future.
 
If our front 3 is clicking, we won't be losing much games and likely still in with a shout of top 4. Ineos and Ratcliffe screw up by keeping ETH. If Amorim was appointed at the start of this season, we would gotten players that fits his philosophy. Players like Rashford, Casemiro, Antony would already been sold and Millions would have saved. United would be a much better place. At this time, we would still playing for better league position, FA cup and into quarter final of Europa league. Hopefully, we can trash Leicester this weekend so the players are motivated and energize for the rest of the reason.
 
I thought we showed a lot of confidence on the pitch today. And the funny thing is we haven't really earned it. I hope it's a case of Amorim and his staff really picking the players up and getting them to understand what is needed. For instance, both Zirkzee and Højlund have been in the dumps this season but both of them looked confident today and played well (aside from finishing).
 
We're improving. Lyon will be a bigger challenge.

I've said all season this Europa league was the most important trophy for us this season. It's fallen that way.
 
Maagge said:
I thought we showed a lot of confidence on the pitch today. And the funny thing is we haven't really earned it. I hope it's a case of Amorim and his staff really picking the players up and getting them to understand what is needed. For instance, both Zirkzee and Højlund have been in the dumps this season but both of them looked confident today and played well (aside from finishing).
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Yeah, Zirkzee looks a lot more comfortable recently. Great outlet player and some brilliant one touch passing and hold up work. Just like Hojlund, though, tends to be a bit goal shy. I really hope Amorim gives them a hug and tells them to keep going. The goals will come especially as it seems we are starting to create chances now.
 
Some good signs. Liverpool away was most encouraging performance for me but this was 2nd behind that. Actually liked both games vs Sociedad except for last 25-30 minutes of first game and first 10 minutes of tonight's game. There were also good signs at Spurs, vs Ipswich and against Arsenal. Even Fulham game was decent performance.
 
Great performance and result today. Still think we can go all the way in the EL.
 
Toshey said:
This thread gained 3 pages since final whistle of a great performance.

If we had lost, it would have been 20+ pages already.

Why are people so desperate to criticise and ready to spam frustrated and hateful comments all day, but prefer to stay silent when there's praise to be given?
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People love to hate on us, even my father who's a long time fan gets so distraught at any defeat or even misplaced pass it's hard to get him seeing the big picture! Maybe some trolls make accounts just to wind proper fans up, my sister is always ready to stick the knife in if we lose, and it's her partner that's a Liverpool fan, she doesnae have a team. Also being the biggest, most famous club in the world means we keep an army of Youtubers, journalists and petty hacks like Richard Keys in clover with our travails.

Looking at Ruben's tenure so far, I'm so happy for him because tonight we showed arguably our most complete performance under him, everyone was at it, there was a real hunger throughout the team to win this game. Despite conceding early again we never let the heads drop. Dorgu and Heaven are signs of the future player we will buy, powerful, quick and able to tactically effect the game. Give Ruben time and with the right recruitment using the latest data science - and with a bit of luck - we will at least push higher up the table next season, maybe stabilising near the top 4. Give him three or four good windows, we can start thinking about the big prizes. Long way to go, there will be bumps but I am a solid believer in him!
 
When's the last time we had this kind of scoreline in a two legged tie against a Spanish team? Very memorable.
 
Vitek
Yoro - Kukonki - Heaven
Amad - Collyer - Kone - Dorgu
Garnacho - Mainoo
Obi Martin

We could start a team like this next season.
Average age must be around 20.
 
The system looks good when the wing-backs aren't being relentlessly pressed by the opposition. Unfortunately that will continue to happen in the league.
 
I'm really pleased with the performance. I still think he needs some players back if we're going to win the tournament but we're starting to see his system click a bit more.

It's weird saying this considering our xg and the scoreline but the attack still needs to improve (no one can fault the workrate though tonight). Having options like Mount, Mainoo and hopefully Amad before the end of the season will be a massive boost.
 
#07 said:
In fairness to Amorim, although I'm not a believer, we have been improving from a low baseline.

I would really love to win the Europa League. I think it would help everyone buy into his project a bit more (myself included).

Was a bit worried by our pressing structure early in the first half, particularly with how high the wing backs were getting and how easy it was making for Sociedad to get through us. But he seemed to adjust it a little bit to be more of a 4-4-2 out of possession, with Dorgu very high, and Dalot dropping in. That stemmed the bleeding and from there, while we weren't spectacular, we never really looked like losing.

My dream outcome would be by this time next year we're all discussing if we can beat Arsenal's 50 game domestic unbeaten record or whatever it was. I don't believe but I'd like to. I really would. Be great to be proven wrong.
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So we’d have to go on a 50 game unbeaten run for you to be proven wrong? Seems like you just want him/us to fail.
 
I find myself wondering if our injury issues have helped focus the team and tactics. When he came in there was lots of rotation but recently we've been so thin on the ground we've played s a lot of the same players most games and I do wonder if that has helped. The last two games have been two pretty decent performances both in terms of defence and attack for the most part.

Will be interesting to see if others can come back in and do well.

Dorgu has also made a hide difference.
 
Blood Mage said:
The system looks good when the wing-backs aren't being relentlessly pressed by the opposition. Unfortunately that will continue to happen in the league.
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The issue there has been that the opposition playing their wingers high and wide has left us in a flat back 5, marking 3 players and therefore outnumbered in other areas. But we’ve already started to deal with that by seamlessly switching to a 442 and being more aggressive in our press. I think the players are starting to get to grips with things now and I think some of these problems will be solved soon enough.
 
He needs time, patiente and players. And players will come with time. But he will deliver, trust me.
 
Gabriel Djemba-Bebe said:
First time this season I've seen us take the game to the opposition from the start and sustain attacks throughout the game. More of the same please, Ruben.
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We were shit for 10 minutes. After that, we were good. But we did not take the game from them from the start.
 
NLunited said:
We were shit for 10 minutes. After that, we were good. But we did not take the game from them from the start.
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Up until last night, we've been shit for the first 45 minutes of every game under Amorim so when I said we "took the game to them from the start", I was referring to how the majority of the first half was very good, as well as the entire second half.
 
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