We reflect on Man Utd head coach’s shift to a back four in 1-0 win against Howe’s side
Football writer Tom Hancock looks at how Ruben Amorim adapted tactically in the absence of Bruno Fernandes, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, as Manchester United battled to a narrow 1-0 win against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Ruben Amorim had been so married to his favoured three-man defence that he claimed “not even the Pope” could convince him to part with it. By the end of their narrow Boxing Day win over Newcastle United, Manchester United were effectively playing with twice as many defenders.
Amorim sprung a festive surprise by starting with four at the back, shifting Patrick Dorgu from his usual left-wing-back spot to an attacking right-wing role.
Dorgu’s superb volleyed winner – his first Man Utd goal – was a welcome byproduct of the tactical tweak, but most noticeable was a defensive solidity which had deserted United in recent weeks.
How Man Utd v Newcastle lined up
The concession of six goals in two games – the 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth and 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa – called for pragmatism from Amorim.
Man Utd have certainly felt the absence of injured centre-backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, but a change of system felt necessary, and Amorim’s decision to go against his own word was firmly vindicated as Man Utd ended a three-match winless run at home with a dogged performance worthy of the three points.
With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), plus captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes missing through injury for only the ninth time in his Premier League career, it was always likely to be a case of defence first for Man Utd.
Ahead of this game, those three players had created 105 chances in the league this season between them – three more than all other United players put together.
And, despite the evident defensive benefit to his side, that creative void may have been at the root of Amorim’s switch to a back four. Speaking at full-time, he explained: “In the first half, I think we showed that I felt that was the only way to create more danger – to have more opportunities was with the back four with a lot of guys inside.”
Amorim opted for an initial back four of Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez – wearing the armband in Fernandes’ absence – and Luke Shaw, Dalot having started the loss at Villa at right-wing-back and Shaw as the left-sided centre-back in a three.
It was 19-year-old Heaven, on only his 12th Premier League start, who played perhaps the biggest part in United’s resolute rearguard action, making a match-high eight clearances to help keep Newcastle at bay and earn his side only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Man Utd’s defensive determination was brought into even sharper focus late in the game, as Amorim used a back five – if not, out of possession, a back six, as Dorgu reverted to something more akin to his familiar wing-back role.
It completed an all-action performance from the Dane, who thrived on the right and stylishly fired United into a half-time lead which they ultimately held onto.
Watch: Dorgu’s highlights v Newcastle
This wasn’t the first time Dorgu had found himself with more out-and-out attacking responsibility in a Man Utd shirt, but this incisive display might just have given Amorim a pleasant dilemma for when Mbeumo and Amad return from AFCON duty.
Having assisted Matheus Cunha’s goal against Villa, it’s now two goal contributions in two outings for the 21-year-old, whose ability to cut inside onto his stronger left foot gives United a different dimension in that area of the pitch – and might play into the hands of Benjamin Sesko, who still only has two goals to his name since joining in the summer.
Ahead of this encounter, Gary Neville had remarked that it was “hard to see how Man Utd win this game without scoring three goals” – an understandable sentiment given their fragility at the back of late. In the end, United notched their first 1-0 victory since January without ever looking alarmingly threatened.
How Man Utd v Newcastle finished
Amorim must take encouragement, too, from the way his team saw out the game with such a youthful complexion. Eighteen-year-old midfielder Jack Fletcher replaced Mason Mount at half-time, while 20-year-old centre-back Tyler Fredricson was introduced late on, and such players could enjoy more opportunities in the coming weeks as Man Utd remain without those injured and away at AFCON.
The Portuguese head coach was keen to emphasise the importance of his young players towards Man Utd’s overall squad unity.
He said: “We need to suffer all together in the stadium…I think we spent a lot of time with each other. We had some low moments and that sometimes can bring good things to the group, but it’s good to have that feeling to have the experienced players helping the kids in helping the team understanding we are suffering. It doesn’t matter if you’re outside the pitch; you can play the game, and I think everyone played the game.”
With rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers the next visitors to Old Trafford on Tuesday, Amorim could have the ideal opportunity to hone his new system, one which paid dividends for Man Utd in both the defensive and attacking departments on Boxing Day.