What changes has MU made to progress?

After nearly a year of many changes under Ruben Amorim, MU has finally started to regain stability and new energy.

From a team doubted for its identity, system, and competitiveness, they have now won three straight Premier League games, their best run since February 2024. More importantly, MU has truly changed their playing style, shifted their thinking, and begun moving on the right path.

Structure and confidence have returned.

When Amorim arrived at Old Trafford, the team was a mess: no clear attacking plan, disorganized defense, and low morale. Now, after nearly a year, his tactical mark is becoming clear. Amorim built the team around a flexible 3-4-3 formation, but the difference lies in how MU moves and adapts during each play.

In attack, they push the line up with two withdrawn forwards (Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo) drifting inside like two "number 10s," creating space for wing-backs to advance. Defensively, they quickly compact into a 5-4-1 shape, protecting the midfield and locking down the central area, which was MU’s weakest zone under Erik ten Hag.

Amorim also helped defenders like Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt change their mindset. Previously, they mostly held their positions, but now they are encouraged to push forward, pressing up to the halfway line to intercept passes and pressure opposing attackers. Shaw himself won the ball from Georginio Rutter, starting Casemiro’s goal against Brighton. MU no longer waits passively for counterattacks; Amorim’s team now takes control of space and forces opponents into mistakes.

Amorim isn’t a coach who favors elaborate philosophies. But under his guidance, MU has become more attractive through organization. The team no longer attacks blindly but knows when to press high and when to defend deep. "We can do a bit of everything – control possession, create chances, press high, and defend low," Amorim said after the Brighton victory. This flexibility is what MU has lost for many years.

Amorim also changed how the team circulates the ball: instead of building from the back like under Ten Hag, he encourages defenders to play long, direct passes forward. As a result, MU transitions faster, makes fewer midfield mistakes, and attacks more directly.

One of the biggest highlights in MU’s progress is the new role of Amad Diallo. The young Ivorian, once seen purely as an attacking winger, is now playing as a right wing-back, and surprisingly, he’s doing extremely well in this position.

In Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, Amad does more than just run the flank; he is a "dual weapon": offensively, he drifts inside like a creative midfielder, while defensively, he drops back to form a five-man defense. Using Amad this way helps MU increase creativity on the wing while maintaining defensive depth without sacrificing a forward.