The Ruben Amorim Era Begins | Tactical Analysis : Manchester United 1-1 Ipswich Town

Summary

In his first match as Manchester United manager, Reuben Amarim showcased a tactical evolution in United’s buildup play, drawing on his successful methods from Sporting. United displayed a fluid 3-2-5 shape in attack, focusing on wide overloads and positional rotations to exploit space. However, their defensive structure showed vulnerabilities, particularly in transition and when the wide center-backs advanced. Ipswich adapted their pressing strategy as the game wore on, which limited United’s offensive effectiveness. Despite the promising signs in attack, United’s pressing inconsistencies and defensive lapses revealed areas needing improvement as Amarim continues to develop his tactical system.

Takeaways

• 😀 United's buildup play under Amorim features a back three, which allows for quick switches from side to side and efficient use of the pitch width.
• 😀 Delish, the central defender, plays a crucial role in moving into midfield during buildup, a tactic taken from Amorim's time at Sporting.
• 😀 Eriksen's movement higher up the pitch helps United transition to a 3-man midfield, making them more resistant to Ipswich's press.
• 😀 Ipswich adapted their pressing strategy to be less aggressive, switching to a back five to protect central regions and limit United's attacking space.
• 😀 United exploited the left side heavily, using the combination of Doo and Gacho to break down Ipswich's defense and create dangerous situations.
• 😀 Gacho’s ability to come deep and pull defenders out of position provided space for Rashford to make runs behind Ipswich’s defensive line.
• 😀 United's 3-2-5 attacking shape flooded the box with attacking options, allowing them to create overloads and look for penetrating passes.
• 😀 Despite a promising attacking structure, United's defensive shape had vulnerabilities, especially during transitions when Casemiro and Eriksen were too high up the pitch.
• 😀 Ipswich's wingers, particularly Hutchinson, were able to exploit the gaps left by United's wide center backs, especially when they pushed up the pitch.
• 😀 Amorim’s wide center backs could become more aggressive in attack, potentially creating overloads and offering more central options as he refines his tactics.
• 😀 The front three’s pressing intensity and discipline remain a key area for improvement for United, as poor pressing at times allowed Ipswich to break through too easily.

Q & A

What key tactical identity did Amorim bring to United’s buildup play?

Amorim implemented a flexible 3-2-5 buildup shape, using three center-backs for width and allowing quick transitions between sides, providing numerical superiority in midfield, and facilitating smoother ball progression.

Why did Amorim choose to position Delish as the central center-back despite his age?

Delish is the most comfortable and skillful on the ball of the three center-backs. Amorim positioned him centrally to push into midfield, aiding in the buildup and creating a numerical advantage.

How did Ipswich respond to United’s buildup play?

Ipswich adapted by initially keeping their wider forwards deeper to disrupt United's midfield pivot. Later, they shifted to a more passive defensive shape, focusing on protecting central areas.

What role did Erikson play in United's buildup and how did it affect the press?

Erikson moved higher up the pitch, sometimes joining the attack or positioning himself in space. This shifted the midfield from a two-man to a three-man setup, making it harder for Ipswich to press effectively.

What defensive vulnerabilities did United show, particularly in transitions?

United's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed when Casemiro and Erikson pushed too high up the pitch, leaving gaps that Ipswich exploited through quick transitions and penetrating passes.

How did United use their wide play to create attacking opportunities?

United focused on isolating attackers like Gachu in one-on-one situations, allowing him to beat defenders or create space behind them. They also looked to overload wide areas and deliver penetrating passes into the box.

What was the tactical issue with United’s center-backs in the second half?

In the second half, United's center-backs, particularly after Shaw’s introduction, had opportunities to push higher but did not, missing chances to overload the wide areas and pull Ipswich's defense out of shape.

Why did Ipswich's defensive strategy change in the second half?

Ipswich became more passive in the second half, focusing on defensive solidity by switching to a back five, with an emphasis on protecting the central areas and minimizing space in behind.

How did United defend when not in possession?

United set up in a 5-2-3 shape defensively, compacting the middle but leaving space wide. The front three did not press with enough intensity, allowing Ipswich to find penetrative passes through the defense.

What did the analysis reveal about United's pressing issues?

United’s pressing lacked intensity and coordination, particularly from the front three. This allowed Ipswich to bypass them and exploit gaps in the midfield and defensive lines.