“Sometimes you have to adapt and there are no tactics in those moments,” Ruben Amorim said after Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle. He responded after admitting to using a back six late in the game.
His reinforced side held on, with Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot playing ahead of the full-backs in a six-man defence. Of course, the fact that Amorim has been playing in the back four is fascinating and a sign that his team is improving tactically.
There were times when he wouldn’t have tolerated that, but now he’s a little bolder and has helped lift United to fifth place and potentially fit in a higher position before the end of a difficult 2025.
But that growing confidence is as much about unity as the result, which is as much about the lessons learned from this win as it is about the formation. Amorim agreed that it was one of the most satisfying victories in that sense.
“I think we have to feel that sometimes we can win without playing well, that we can win games through spirit and team unity.” He spoke about his young team defending every cross and putting their bodies on the line.
“We have suffered a lot,” he explained. “We were just trying to survive.” He was talking about his final moments with Newcastle, but that might just sum up his time at the club so far. But they overcame it. Maybe Amorim will get through it all too.
Keane: Manchester United must start the game after ‘ugly’ win
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Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher reflect on Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Roy Keane says Manchester United need to “get going” and build momentum after their “ugly” win over Newcastle.
“We saw a big win for Manchester United, especially from a defensive point of view, winning an ugly game while keeping a clean sheet,” the former Manchester United captain said.
“There has to be pride in the defense. It’s an ugly win, but it’s a big win.
“That goal was fantastic, a special goal, but the defense needs to be solid to make progress. For the young players, it’s a start in terms of momentum, but they need to find something.”
“I dig into the results. The teams I played for didn’t play well every week, but they dug in. Now it’s time to get started.”
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher praised Manchester United’s first-half performance and said Amorim’s formation adjustments had improved the team.
“It feels right for United (the change of form), we have seen something different in the last few weeks,” Carragher said. sky sports.
“Tonight, it’s a back four and a midfielder, with or without the ball. The strange thing is that Newcastle are behind a back five! They’ve been playing really well.”
Why did it take Amorim so long?
Ginnie Boswell on Sky Sports:
Amorim finally switched formations and his back four kept a clean sheet for the first time in almost three months. Many people may be wondering what took him so long. But Amorim’s newfound flexibility offers hope.
This was United’s first Premier League game under Amorim where they started with a back four, and it was clear that the players looked more comfortable using a back four. Amorim felt that Dorgu in particular benefited from the change.
“You put Patrick further up front, the responsibility is not the same and you have more freedom to lose the ball,” the United manager said.
If Dorgu plays like this on the right wing, what will Brian Mbeumona or Ahmad Diallo look like when they return from AFCON? At this stage, it is unclear how long this new form will remain in place. Their return may mean the end of the experiment.
Surely Amorim’s conclusion from all this must be that sticking to one formation, regardless of personnel, is a mistake that should not be repeated. There are real signs of improvement thanks to his flexibility.
