Ruben Amorim | 2025-26

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That ducker article reminds me of something Mitten said on a recent talk of the devils pod. He mentioned how often on a preseason it can look quite good on the pitch but him being told by those in the know that they were miles off it.

Hoping that this is a real indication that things might actually be good once the season starts.
 
Shark said:
From 15th to top four would be a minor miracle.
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I think a lot can change in a season. Forest went from 17th to Europe in one season. Chelsea have pretty regularly lurched between complete meltdown and competing at the top end from one year to the next.

To me our biggest problems by far were decision making and composure in the final third (and as a result, goals). We've already made good moves to address those. If Mbeumo and Cunha add 15 goals to us and nothing else even changes, our record looks basically the same as Villa who were competing for CL down to the last day.
 
I mentioned it in the match day thread and some images on here showed it but we definitely went with the widest wing back flatter and wide centre back wider. That’s why I quite like the 3-5-2-1 or variations as when all the players are switched on and as flexible as some of our squad can be, the football can be very entertaining.
 
This (culture) has been our biggest hurdle from Ole all the through to the current manager, not tactics or recruitment. Nothing changes if this doesn't change, and I think Amorim understands he will be next on the chopping block if he can't solve this problem, fair or not.
 
BrilliantOrange said:
So in his system.. If we play the below Liverpool

Isak
Gakpo Wirtz Salah
Szobo Gravenberch
Kerkez VVD Konate Frimpong

with a our defensive setup as such

Yoro De Ligt Martinez
Amad Ugarte/Casemiro Bruno/Mainoo Dorgu
Mbeumo Cunha
Striker

How would we set it up defensively?

Im really not trying to make it about individual names or liverpool vs united, but just as an example on how we would defende ourselves against teams who play a front 3 and have midfielders with vertical legs in midfield

Who will be responsible for Gakpo? Do we chain Amad or do we lure Yoro away from the centre?
Who will be responsible for Salah? Do we chain Dorgu or do we lure Martinez away from the centre?
And lets say Frimpong and Kerkez makes overlaps.. Do we expect Cunha and Mbeumo to follow them always?
How do we pick up Wirtz? Will he have a single man on man with Ugarte for example? Or we do have one of the centre backs lured out of the centre?
And if Szobo makes a run from midfield, who is picking him up?

And how would the above change if Wirtz plays from the left, Szobo at 10 and McAlister comes in.. How would we pick up Wirtz who would drift across the field, would that be one of the centre backs or one of the midfielders?

I just see so many flaws in this setup tactically.. I don't see it...
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Probably will depend on how much trust Amorin has in the squad at that time. If he thinks they are playing well, understand the system, and confidence is high then he might just go with his preferred system of 2 attacking WB. If we are struggling etc then most likely he will play two defensive wing backs.

Regardless of how well we are playing, the two CM's vs Liverpool can't be Bruno and Casemiro, I would say Ugarte and Mainoo
 
One of the biggest pros to Amorim in theory was his experience with a clearout and culture shift. The task at United is much more monumental than Sporting, but I do have some hope in this regard.
 
hellhunter said:
I couldn't watch tonight, how did we look? Were there improvements in progressing the ball, did we create?
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If Bournemouth were standard Premier League opposition, we'd win the league based on how much we dominated them. They just didn't look to be at the races. I'm not sure we created more but we did finish the few chances that arose. Casemiro and Bruno in the first half were playing pretty loosely, with back heel and around the corner flicks, probably not something they will try against Arsenal. As such, they lost the ball quite a few times but Bournemouth were unable to make us pay for it.
 
ValenciasDrilledCrosses said:
One of the biggest pros to Amorim in theory was his experience with a clearout and culture shift. The task at United is much more monumental than Sporting, but I do have some hope in this regard.
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He turned sporting around pretty quickly. If he gets his attacker and GK this summer then we can be in for a treat this season.
 
Wing Attack Plan R said:
If Bournemouth were standard Premier League opposition, we'd win the league based on how much we dominated them. They just didn't look to be at the races. I'm not sure we created more but we did finish the few chances that arose. Casemiro and Bruno in the first half were playing pretty loosely, with back heel and around the corner flicks, probably not something they will try against Arsenal. As such, they lost the ball quite a few times but Bournemouth were unable to make us pay for it.
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Cheers WAPR!

Not sure how to approach a nice and helpful post by you
 
Wing Attack Plan R said:
If Bournemouth were standard Premier League opposition, we'd win the league based on how much we dominated them. They just didn't look to be at the races. I'm not sure we created more but we did finish the few chances that arose. Casemiro and Bruno in the first half were playing pretty loosely, with back heel and around the corner flicks, probably not something they will try against Arsenal. As such, they lost the ball quite a few times but Bournemouth were unable to make us pay for it.
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Yeah it was weird how flat they came out. I expected far more intensity. Unfortunately not the test we hoped it would be for Amorim and the lads.
 
BrilliantOrange said:
Wingbacks and a false 9 arent mutually exclusive right.. They can go together.. But you are probably right any change apart from his default formation is too much to ask..
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However. Reading the post match Bournemouth thread a couple of posters mentioned that they perhaps saw a more conventional 3-4-3. Did anyone else see our shape being a bit more conventional and less wing back orientated?
 
Stig said:
However. Reading the post match Bournemouth thread a couple of posters mentioned that they perhaps saw a more conventional 3-4-3. Did anyone else see our shape being a bit more conventional and less wing back orientated?
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No
 
Shark said:
From 15th to top four would be a minor miracle.
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On paper we are much better than 15th. We have a good window and maybe add further players that can make a difference. Amorim is a very good manager even if we did see little evidence last season. So a top 6 finish is realistic imo
 
A good first game and win against Arsenal could give a huge lift. Big if but if we pull this off it could help the team mentally
 
I’ve mentioned it before but Sporting fans kept pointing out that Amorim changed the team around in his first proper pre-season when he was able to change the culture.

I’ve been watching lots of pre-season stuff, interviews etc. and it seems like this is exactly what he’s doing here.

Comments about the players no longer leaving dinner as soon as they finish and actually staying to talk and bond etc.It’s going to make a huge difference.
 
Woodzy said:
I’ve mentioned it before but Sporting fans kept pointing out that Amorim changed the team around in his first proper pre-season when he was able to change the culture.

I’ve been watching lots of pre-season stuff, interviews etc. and it seems like this is exactly what he’s doing here.

Comments about the players no longer leaving dinner as soon as they finish and actually staying to talk and bond etc.It’s going to make a huge difference.
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Nah, the CAF saw enough last season and he will be gone by Xmas!
 
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Interesting to see Mazraoui be part of that leadership group. He's only been here a year (although obviously that's longer than the manager himself) so he must be more of a leader than he perhaps seems. I would probably have expected De Ligt before him.

Also indicates that Martinez might still play a bigger role under Amorim than I suspected.
 
Let’s see if he can manage the next 20 games, never mind years.
 
MadDogg said:
Interesting to see Mazraoui be part of that leadership group. He's only been here a year (although obviously that's longer than the manager himself) so he must be more of a leader than he perhaps seems. I would probably have expected De Ligt before him.

Also indicates that Martinez might still play a bigger role under Amorim than I suspected.
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Think Martinez still starts when fit due to his ability to progress the ball forward.
 
Escobar said:
A good first game and win against Arsenal could give a huge lift. Big if but if we pull this off it could help the team mentally
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We've been pulling wins like this out of our arses for years now. It's the mid table/lower half teams I want to see us beating. Not that a win against Arsenal on the first day wouldn't be amazing, but it wouldn't convince me anything much has changed either.
 
Shark said:
We've been pulling wins like this out of our arses for years now. It's the mid table/lower half teams I want to see us beating. Not that a win against Arsenal on the first day wouldn't be amazing, but it wouldn't convince me anything much has changed either.
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It would be a strong sign and great start.
 
sizzling sausages said:
He definitely knows how to talk the talk. Needs to actually walk the walk now though.
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We haven’t really seen it in games yet, but in many other respects he is walking the walk for me.

Taking a hardline on disruptive players like Sancho, Rashford and Garnacho, and building a more settled and cohesive group by setting clear standards.

Identifying the fact that our lack of pace and physicality hinders our ability to compete in this league, and then bringing in players who address those key deficiencies. Also getting existing players to a better and fitter physical standard.

I think both of those things are going to make a huge difference to our performances and results this season. Proof will be in the pudding of course.
 
Ruben loves this club. He wants to change the culture and make connections with everyone from the club and fans. He will create something special.
 
20 year plan sounds like 9 titles, 7 FA cups, 4 champions leagues and I’ll take a couple of community shields too seen as Arteta has bigger them up.
 
There will be small margins at the top, but I do think we have the means and talent to get to top4 every year, even starting the next one. Manager has clear ideas, and we are clearly improving and he's only signing his players and improving others sending away the bad eggs clearing the air. First preseason for him.

Some people here will be in for a shocker when he not only stays beyond this season but gradually improves us to a title challenger every year while finally making us exciting to watch, unlike last 20 years including many dull years under Fergie in the end, we will be nice to watch again.
 
Poborsky's hair said:
There will be small margins at the top, but I do think we have the means and talent to get to top4 every year, even starting the next one. Manager has clear ideas, and we are clearly improving and he's only signing his players and improving others sending away the bad eggs clearing the air. First preseason for him.

Some people here will be in for a shocker when he not only stays beyond this season but gradually improves us to a title challenger every year while finally making us exciting to watch, unlike last 20 years including many dull years under Fergie in the end, we will be nice to watch again.
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I’m big on amorim and really want him to do well. I’m also big on giving him time to show what you’ve claimed is happening. I do believe we improve this season with him at the helm. However it isn’t clear yet where you’re getting that improvement claim from. Two pre season games is not enough to say there’s clear improvement. It’s great to be optimistic but steady on.

Give it a few games into the season. It’s the top two inches that matter most, to give a bit of a cliche. And that’s a massive doubt I’ve got in this crop of players- doing it when it matters.
 
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