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RUBEN AMORIM STRUGGLES AS MAN UTD BRUNO FERNANDES ISSUE PERSISTS

Manchester United's draw with Forest exposed deep flaws in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system. The tactical analysis reveals a Bruno Fernandes dilemma, the need for Kobbie Mainoo, and a critical shortage of effective wing-backs at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim struggles as Man Utd Bruno Fernandes issue persists
Amorim battles unseen challenge as Fernandes issue hits Man Utd - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Manchester United briefly appeared to be regaining control of the situation. Three consecutive victories, the first in almost two years, had sparked discussions about development, momentum, and Ruben Amorim's beginning to settle in.

However, Saturday's 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest—which would have been a crushing loss had it not been for Amad Diallo's incredible late goal—served as a sobering reminder that United's issues go far beyond a few recent performances.

The team is still unable to dominate games for extended periods of time. When under stress, they nevertheless appear delicate. United still feels like a work in progress, a side divided between tradition and change, despite all the buzz about Amorim's new ideas and enthusiasm.

In addition to stopping momentum, the draw at Forest revealed Amorim's ungainly balance in their changing 3-4-3. When United dominates possession, the system may appear sleek, but when they are forced to defend in numbers and scrape and claw, it swiftly breaks down.

Bruno Fernandes, the captain, talisman, and possibly one of United's biggest tactical issues, is at the centre of it all. In light of that, here are three things to remember from United's concerning weekend.

The issue of Fernandes


As one of the two centre midfielders in Amorim's 3-4-3, Fernandes has been comparatively successful. His inventiveness and deft passing may be crucial when United is ahead and has possession of the ball. However, his presence in that role becomes a problem in more difficult away games, such as Forest.

He lacks the discipline to keep shape and the mobility to cover territory, leaving United's midfield vulnerable. It reminds me of Cesc Fabregas at Chelsea under Antonio Conte, who was a good football player but too light for the structure and energy needed in a two-man midfield. Chelsea gained balance and eventually won the Premier League as a result of Conte's choice to give preference to N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.

For the time being, United might be able to use Fernandes in that capacity, particularly while playing weaker teams. However, Amorim might have to make the audacious decision to move Fernandes further forward or off the club entirely if he really wants to assemble a team that can contend for major awards.

Naturally, the issue is that promoting him could displace Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who both appear to be much more suited as inside forwards in this style. In addition, despite his tactical shortcomings, Fernandes is still a beloved goal scorer and talisman for United, one of the few players whose form has remained consistent over the past several tumultuous seasons.

However, if Amorim continues, so will his 3-4-3, and Fernandes will feel more and more out of place in it. Some will believe he's too excellent to drop and worth shoehorning into the side - but pushing him into a role that doesn't fit him could eventually cost United when it matters most.

Although it is a difficult puzzle to solve, the Red Devils must be prepared to omit even the largest piece if doing so makes the entire picture fit together better, if they genuinely want to be a top team once more.

Mainoo is essential.


One player must be a member of United's midfield if it is to be effective: Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old gives United a unique combination of poise, agility, and intellect that they desperately lack. He possesses the discipline to defend his back line while gliding past a push and moving the ball forward purposefully.

You need balance, control, and vigour to make a 3-4-3 work. Mainoo meets all of those requirements, thus it makes perfect sense to partner him with a real holding midfielder like Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, or a summer acquisition like Carlos Baleba.

Many people have been perplexed by Amorim's choice to exclude him. Mainoo might be the difference in games where United finds it difficult to manage the pace. Mainoo provides rhythm, a sense of peace that lets others play, while Fernandes brings risk. Reintroducing the young player should be Amorim's first move if he wants to build a midfield that can dictate the game rather than just respond to it.

In addition to structure and discipline, two-man midfields require energy—the capacity to cover ground, press strategically, and recover swiftly during transitions. Amorim appears to be committed to partnering Casemiro with Fernandes, but that lineup just does not have the passion and agility needed to compete with the best.

Casemiro no longer possesses the legs necessary to control wide areas by himself, while Fernandes excels at creating chances and being creative rather than playing defence or recovering the ball. United's midfield, which is strong on paper but slow in practice, runs the risk of being overrun without a more energetic partner like Mainoo.

Wing-backs are required.


The other obvious problem is widespread. Wing-backs are crucial to Amorim's 3-4-3 because they can stretch the field and play smart defence. United currently lacks both.

The only obvious choice is Patrick Dorgu, although he has not always been reliable. Diogo Dalot, who is right-footed, is still filling in on the left, while Amad is being squandered at right wing-back. It is a clumsy arrangement that makes United much too vulnerable during transition and far too direct moving ahead.

Finding suitable wing-backs must be the focus of the January transfer window and the following summer if United is serious about making this formation work. Players with the ability to recover fast, deliver quality, and bomb forward. Last summer, they spent more than £200 million on forwards when it would have made much more sense to spend £50-100 million on two top-tier wing-backs.

They are now being connected to high-priced midfield players like Elliot Anderson and Baleba. However, the building will continue to collapse unless the flanks are fixed. The technique relies on balance, and Amorim will continue to try to construct a house without walls until United finds suitable wing-backs.

ALAN SHEARER URGES KOBBIE MAINOO TO LEAVE MANCHESTER UNITED IN JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes claim Kobbie Mainoo must leave Manchester United to save his career after losing his place under Amorim.

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Paul Scholes Backs Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer thinks Kobbie Mainoo should leave Manchester United since he's not getting enough playing time. Mainoo hasn't started a single Premier League game this season, only appearing as a substitute 11 times under coach Ruben Amorim.

In Monday's 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, Mainoo came off the bench and got a nice welcome from the Old Trafford crowd.

There's been a lot of talk about Mainoo leaving United recently. With the January transfer window coming up, it's unclear what will happen.

Clubs like Chelsea, West Ham, and Napoli are supposedly interested in signing Mainoo, but reports say United doesn't want to let him leave in January, despite all the rumours.

Shearer explained why leaving United might be good for Mainoo and actually help United too.

The coach clearly doesn't rate Kobbie Mainoo that much. If you can't break into the team when they're struggling, there's a problem, Shearer told Betfair.

It seems like it'd be better for everyone if he moved on.

We've seen this before with Manchester United players who don't fit into the manager's plans. He's not afraid to get rid of them, loan them out, or sell them. It looks like that might happen here.

I'm not part of the club. I don't know what his attitude is like. But from the outside, it looks like it would be best for him to leave and play some football in January.

Whether it's a loan or a permanent move, we'll have to wait. But if you're not playing, you need to think about leaving.

When asked about Mainoo's lack of playing time, Amorim admitted the reasons behind his choices.

I see him [Mainoo] as a starter like the other players, Amorim said last month. I just have to make a choice, and recently it hasn't been Kobbie.

I don't know about the future. Like with Casemiro, he wasn't playing, and then he did. I just want to win, and I don't care who plays.

United legend Paul Scholes agreed with Shearer, saying Mainoo might be better off leaving Old Trafford. He also responded to Amorim's comments.

This kid [Mainoo] is being wasted, not playing on a team that can't control the game, Scholes wrote on Instagram, replying to Amorim's recent quotes.

I hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it's probably best for him now. Enough is enough.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON IDENTIFIES THREE KEY SIGNINGS HELPING RUBEN AMORIM TRANSFORM MANCHESTER UNITED’S CURRENT FORM

Sir Alex Ferguson backs Ruben Amorim but warns a Premier League title may be a decade away, praising star keeper Senne Lammens.

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Sir Alex Ferguson Hails Lammens and Cunha Amid Rebuild Warning

Sir Alex Ferguson, the Man United legend, thinks it could be a decade or so before the club's back on top. But he's still supporting the current manager, Ruben Amorim.

Ferguson won a ton during his 26 years there: 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and a couple of Champions League wins.

Since he left in 2013, Man United hasn't won either of those competitions again.

The 2024-25 season was rough. Amorim came in mid-season, and the team finished 15th, their worst showing ever in the Premier League.

Things are a bit better this season. They're currently sixth, just two points outside the Champions League spots.

Ferguson told Press Box PR in Bahrain that he's behind Amorim as he tries to get Man United back to the top of English soccer.

He pointed to Liverpool's long wait for a title when talking about how long it might take Man United to win the Premier League again:

"He's got a good attitude, but it's tough," Ferguson said. I remember when I started, Liverpool was the team to beat. They were winning everything, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.

We're in the same boat now. It could be ten, maybe eleven years, because that's just how things go. We have to be smart and make sure we're bringing in the right players.

Ferguson thinks Man United's recent signings have helped them this season.

He's been talking up goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who came over from Royal Antwerp for about £21.7 million.

The young Belgian has become the starting goalie and has made some great saves in his first 10 Premier League games.

Ferguson said Lammens could become a key player and mentioned Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as good additions too.

"I think getting the goalie [Lammens] was a smart move," Ferguson said.

He's only 23, quick, and a good size, with good feet and hands. I think they needed someone like that. United has always had players that others can look up to, and I think he could be one of those guys.

The other two, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Matheus] Cunha, look like they'll help us get back to where we need to be.

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