Man Utd 1-0 Newcastle: Ruben Amorim explains formation change in victory at Old Trafford | Football news

“Sometimes you have to adapt and there are no tactics at that moment,” Ruben Amorim said after Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle. He was responding after admitting he had left with a six late in the match.

His patched-up team held on with Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot in front of the full-backs in a six-man defense. Of course, the fact that Amorim played a four-man defense was a fascination and an indication that his team is evolving tactically.

There was a time when he would not have agreed to such a thing, but he feels a little more emboldened now, able to adjust from a position of relative strength having taken United fifth – and potentially even higher before the end of a difficult 2025.

The reason for this growing confidence, however, owes as much to unity as to results, and this is what we can remember from this victory as much as from the training. Amorim acknowledged that, in its own way, it was one of the most satisfying victories in that sense.

“I think that’s something we have to feel, that we can sometimes win without playing so well, that we can win games with team spirit and team cohesion.” He talked about his young team defending every cross and putting bodies on the line.

“We were suffering a lot,” he said. “We were just trying to survive.” He was talking about those final moments against Newcastle, but that might just sum up his time at the club so far. But they got through it. Maybe Amorim will make it too.

What took Amorim so long?

Zinny Boswell from Sky Sports:

Amorim finally changed formation and his back four achieved a first clean sheet in almost three months. Many will wonder what took him so long – and rightly so – after more than a year of stubbornly sticking to just one form.

He created a surprise with maximum impact by having his three players warm up. It was quite a shock when United lined up at kick-off. It was the first time Amorim started with four defenders.

Amorim explained his thinking in his post-match interview with Aerial sports: “I felt it was the only way to create more danger, to have more opportunities playing four with a lot of guys inside.”

But that begs the question why now? This can’t be the first game of this type.

The change becomes even more curious when we hear Amorim’s comments on Dorgu, the goalscorer against Newcastle, and how he benefited from his role as a winger rather than a full-back.

“You put him in a more forward position, the responsibilities aren’t the same and he has more freedom to lose the ball. I think that helped Patrick play better.”

Amorim’s analysis is indisputable. It was probably Dorgu’s best performance in a United shirt. But that in itself and the recognition from the head coach brings us back to that previous question.

These are points that spectators have been emphasizing since Amorim took office more than a year ago. What would have happened if he had listened sooner? It makes you think.

Dorgu’s improvement will raise questions about how other, better players might have flourished in a different form. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo come to mind for this position on the right wing. This certainly seems a more natural fit for Amad than the winger.

But perhaps their return from the CAN will mark the end of the experience. There has been no clear communication about how long this situation will last.

After spending so long defending her Either way, it’s unclear what Amorim plans in the long term. It would seem almost silly in a way, although completely necessary, if he were to go back on his word now and stop playing only three in defence.

However, the conclusion for Amorim must surely be that his previous stance of having form and sticking to it, regardless of personnel or state of the game, is a mistake not to be repeated.

There are signs of real improvement thanks to Amorim’s flexibility. That’s what he should stick to.

Keane: Man Utd must kick on after ‘ugly’ win

Roy Keane from Sky Sports:

“We saw a big win for Man Utd. To go out and win an ugly game, especially from a defensive point of view, keeping a clean sheet,” said the former Man Utd captain.

“You have to be proud to defend. An ugly victory but a great victory.

“The goal was fantastic, a special goal. But if you want to progress you have to be solid defensively. It’s a start in terms of dynamic for young players but you have to find something.

“I’m looking for results. The teams I played on, we didn’t play well every week, but we dug in. They need to get going now.”

Carra: Shapeshifting seems like a good thing

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher after Man Utd’s first half performance:

“It looks good for Man Utd [the change in shape]. In recent weeks we have seen something different.

“Tonight, with and without the ball, it’s a four-man defense and a midfield. The strange thing is that Newcastle were forced into a five-man defense! They were really good.”