When Philosophy Meets Reality: Manchester United’s Squad Misfit

Manchester United’s turbulent journey under new manager Ruben Amorim continued on Boxing Day as his United side slumped to a fifth defeat in seven games away to Wolves. The sorry performance once again evidently laid bare the deep-seated issues within the club as Manchester United failed to score on Boxing Day for the first time since 2015. Last season’s dismal 8th-place finish, the worst since 1990, was a wake-up call, but this season threatens to be even more challenging. Players seem weighed down by sky-high expectations, staff morale has plummeted amid the loss of jobs, budget cuts, and the club’s culture—both on and off the pitch—appears fractured. 

Manchester United fans will agree that the club is suffering from a hangover of poor decisions over multiple seasons and INEOS are already under real pressure just one year into their reign. The decision to retain Erik ten Hag after an 8th-place finish and hand him a £200 million transfer budget (only to sack him a few months later) certainly raised concerns amongst the fanbase. Despite spending over £600 million during his tenure, the squad is still riddled with flaws as well as a heavy imbalance of player profiles. That mismanagement has unquestionably left Amorim facing a monumental task. Amorim’s first few months in charge has been a case of square pegs in round roles in assembling each starting eleven to try suit his system. A significant rebuild once again is believed to be required, but financial constraints due to PSR compliance undoubtedly make this an uphill battle for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the board.

While Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation reflects his commitment to his philosophy, it unfortunately exposes the squad’s inadequacies. This system inherently sacrifices an additional attacker, which exacerbates United’s ongoing struggles in front of goal. To compound matters, the club lacks the dynamic wing-backs needed to compensate for the formation’s limitations. The physical flooring of the squad is also something Amorim knows needs improving. He has already clarified the rotation since his arrival is due to this very issue and not an exercise to discover who sinks or swims in the new system. 

So are we witnessing a new system which is simply misaligned with the talent at his disposal? Yes is the most likely answer. Amorim’s philosophy is admirable, but it demands a level of technical and physical capability that this United squad simply cannot provide. Glaring gaps exist across the pitch, from a lack of creative midfielders and physicality throughout the squad, to an unreliable defence making plenty of individual errors. Amorim’s team look lacklustre in attack and numerous examples of incomprehensible defending on set pieces has left United fans tearing their hair out. Unbelievably, Manchester United have conceded a goal from set pieces in 6 of their last 7 games in all competitions. There is no escaping the issues on and off the pitch and due to years of erratic recruitment, the squad feels more like a mismatched puzzle than a cohesive unit.

Under Amorim’s management, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom for Manchester United. The team has shown improved control in games (with increased possession), although they have regularly struggled to find space and create clear-cut chances in front of goal. Defensively, most of the goals conceded have stemmed from set-pieces and individual errors, rather than allowing many opportunities from open play. It is clear fans still feel results have not been acceptable despite the players trying to adapt to a new way of playing under the young Portuguese coach. 

Amorim himself has already acknowledged the storm ahead, cautioning fans early in December prior to the Arsenal defeat: “The storm will come, we are going to be found out in some games.” His prediction was painfully accurate. December has been a historically bleak month, with United losing five games, the same number of defeats as last season which was the first time this had happened in nearly a century.

United fans won’t want to hear it, but this season once again seems to be a season of sacrifice. Given the circumstances, it’s clear that the remainder of this campaign must be treated as a transitional one. Amorim needs time to implement his vision, identify the right players for his system, and establish a foundation for long-term success. Manchester United are currently 11 points off Top 4 and 8 points off the relegation places. Fans might not want to write the season off just yet but hope is fading fast. Perhaps a realistic goal would be to finish in the top 10 (or potentially squeeze into the European places) while laying the groundwork for a more competitive squad next season.

Amorim remains calm and resolute in his approach, stating after the Boxing Day defeat to Wolves: “I will continue with my idea until the end.” While fans may be frustrated by the lack of immediate results, by sticking to his principles, Manchester United fans hope this will pay dividends in the long run.

The January transfer window presents an opportunity to begin addressing the squad’s deficiencies. United desperately need a major clearout to offload underperforming players and make way for new recruits. Achieving all of that in January is near impossible in what is usually a very quiet transfer window for most Premier League clubs. With limited funds allegedly available, Amorim and his team must be strategic in their approach. They also have the ongoing distraction of Marcus Rashford, given he has not been part of the squad since the Europa League win away to Plzen. His absence from the squad despite not being injured and conducting an interview claiming it is ‘time for a new challenge’ away from Old Trafford suggests he may even have played his last game for the club. 

The immediate future offers little respite for Amorim’s team. Upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, Liverpool (Premier League), and Arsenal in the FA Cup will test United’s resolve. Yet, amid the chaos, there is hope. Amorim’s willingness to weather the storm and commit to his vision could eventually transform the club’s fortunes. If he didn’t know the size of the job when he was appointed last month, he undoubtedly realises the enormity of it all after this abysmal run over Christmas. 

For now, United fans must temper their expectations. The road to recovery is long, but with patience, proper planning, and a clear vision, Manchester United might yet emerge stronger from this period of turmoil.