Amorín's outrageous decisions have ruined Manchester United! Bruno Fernandes playing as a defensive midfielder and Mount deployed as a full-back, with center-backs almost changed every match.

What must Rúben Amorín do to avoid being sacked at Manchester United? After United’s defeat to Brentford, BBC’s analysis highlighted Amorín’s ongoing odd decisions that disrupt team stability. Although the Red Devils stick with the contentious 3-4-3 setup regardless of match conditions, Amorín tries some minor tweaks, but sadly, most are “peculiar choices.” Playing 3-4-3 isn’t inherently ineffective, but with Amorín’s personnel decisions, it definitely fails.

One of the most criticized moves is positioning the number 10 and captain Bruno Fernandes deeper as a central midfielder, which is widely seen as totally unsuitable. Amorín refuses to change this, even when Cunha and Mount are injured, he won’t let Bruno return to the attacking third. Observers believe that even with a peak-form Kanté, having Bruno as a midfielder in a 3-4-3 would cause fatal gaps between midfield and defense.

To get his favored players on the pitch, Amorín has also shifted several players’ positions. The €40 million right winger Amad Diallo started playing as a right wing-back last season. After signing Mbeumo for £71 million, the 23-year-old Ivorian international had to adapt to roles beyond his natural right-wing spot. Besides right wing-back, he has also played as a left winger. Ultimately, Amorín had to admit that Amad is not suited to playing wing-back.

However, another one of Amorín’s favorites was also placed at wing-back. In the Brentford match, Mount came on as a substitute and played as a left wing-back—his second time in that unfamiliar position this season. Legend Gary Neville criticized: “You can’t have Mount play left-back. I just can’t tolerate this setup. Wherever he plays, he will perform poorly in that role; he can barely handle his natural position. This is absolutely ridiculous.”

Amorín also likes to use full-backs as center-backs; Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, and Mazraoui have all been tried there. Moreover, the United manager nearly always uses one or two substitution slots per match to change center-backs. Statistics show that in 7 games this season, Amorín made center-back substitutions every match, totaling 10 changes. Against Brentford, Maguire, Shaw, and De Ligt started as the three center-backs, but by the end, the trio was Lenny Yaro, De Ligt, and Dalot.

In the 1-1 draw with Fulham, during the final moments when the team needed a winning goal and fans were shouting for attack, Amorín brought on two center-backs, Maguire and Eden Haven. Although Maguire nearly scored a winning header, fans could not understand such substitutions.

This substitution pattern by Amorín actually began last season. In the final 15 matches of the 2024/25 season, Amorín replaced at least one center-back in nearly every game, with the only exception being the 0-1 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Amorín might justify this by claiming none of United’s center-backs can consistently play the full 90 minutes.

Before starting against Chelsea, Maguire often appeared when United needed a goal, using his heading ability as a makeshift striker. During preseason training, the 32-year-old English defender was limited to a special fitness program due to physical issues. So far, the only full match he played was the League Cup tie against League Two’s Grimsby, where he scored from a corner to help the team draw, though they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.

In the Chelsea match, Maguire defended well against aerial threats but was suddenly substituted in the second half, a decision widely criticized. Amorín had emphasized before the game the danger of Chelsea’s crosses, and Maguire is among the team’s best in aerial duels. After he left the pitch, Chelsea’s defender Chalobah quickly scored from a cross by Reece James.

The 19-year-old French center-back Yaro started 4 times but was substituted 3 times; his physique may not yet be ready for frequent Premier League starts. Last season, Yaro missed 4 months due to a metatarsal fracture, and United wants to avoid overusing him.

Luke Shaw has had the most injuries in United’s squad during his 11 years at the club. Since joining in 2014, he has played 293 matches but missed 334 due to injury! Now 30, he has been shifted to center-back because Amorín believes his stamina can’t meet the demands of his 3-4-3 wing-back system. Shaw has played 6 matches at center-back, completing 3 full games and being substituted in the other 3.

While Lisandro Martínez’s ACL injury hasn’t healed, Luke Shaw is the only experienced left-footed center-back. Haven is also left-footed but only 18 years old with almost no Premier League experience.

In this Premier League season, the only center-back who has played full 90 minutes in all 6 matches for United is De Ligt. However, he also carries injury risks; due to foot and knee issues, he rarely appeared in the last two months of last season.

Instability in the center-back position has long been one of United’s problems. Ten Hag used over 30 different defensive combinations in the 2023/24 season. Though he was not keen on changing center-backs during matches, in his last 14 games in charge, United made center-back substitutions 10 times.