Speaking at a team meeting ahead of the 2025/26 season opener against Tottenham on August 16, 2025, the Portuguese tactician laid bare his frustrations, urging his players to fully embrace his high-pressing 3-4-3 system to avoid another catastrophic season and restore the club’s battered pride.
“There were days last season I woke up dreading the next game,” Amorim confessed to his squad, according to sources close to the club. “That’s not Manchester United. We’re here to compete, to dominate, not to hide. The 3-4-3 is our identity now—adapt to it, commit to it, or we’ll be in the same mess again.”
The 40-year-old’s stark words reflect the toll of a 2024/25 season that saw United win just 11 of 38 matches, lose 18, and finish with a -14 goal difference, conceding 60 goals while scoring only 46. The campaign was marred by injuries to key players like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, defensive lapses, and fan unrest over the club’s direction under the Glazer ownership.
Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, struggled to implement his philosophy mid-season, managing only 20 points from 24 games. His 3-4-3, which brought success at Sporting CP, faltered at United due to players’ unfamiliarity with its demands—high pressing, quick transitions, and fluid wing-back play. Last season’s low points, including a 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool and a 3-1 loss to Manchester City, exposed tactical mismatches and a lack of cohesion. “We were too open, too slow to adapt,” Amorim reportedly told the squad. “This season, no excuses. You either press as a unit or we’re done.”
To address last season’s failings, United have bolstered their squad with £42m midfielder Manuel Ugarte and £36m striker Joshua Zirkzee, while Casemiro’s £25m move to Al-Nassr has freed up wages. Amorim is banking on young stars Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho to step up, with Fernandes tasked with leading the midfield press. However, doubts linger over Rashford’s form and commitment, with some X posts, like @MUFC_Lad’s “Rashford needs to wake up or ship out,” reflecting fan frustration. Amorim has also called out his defenders, including £50m signing Matthijs de Ligt, to tighten up after last season’s porous backline.
Fans are buzzing with a mix of hope and skepticism. On X, @RedDevilsRoar posted, “Amorim owning the mess is refreshing, but 3-4-3 better work fast or he’s toast.” Others, like @UnitedFaithful, rallied behind him: “He’s got the passion. If the players buy in, we’re back.”
The early fixtures, including Arsenal and Chelsea in September, will test the squad’s adaptation to Amorim’s system. With rivals like Liverpool chasing Newcastle’s Alexander Isak to strengthen their attack, the pressure is on United to gel quickly. Amorim’s admission of last season’s dread underscores the stakes: failure to master his 3-4-3 could plunge United into another crisis, while success could rekindle the club’s storied pride.
