But as the 2024/25 season unfolded, Amorim quickly discovered that translating his possession-based, pressing football from the Portuguese league to the Premier League would demand deeper tactical flexibility.
“Every league has its rhythm,” Amorim said in a recent interview. “In England, the pace is relentless — transitions happen faster, spaces close quicker, and mistakes are punished more severely. You have to evolve without losing your core principles.”
Amorim’s United have shown glimpses of brilliance — especially in matches where his midfield control and wing-back systems function seamlessly. However, consistency has remained an issue, particularly against high-pressing teams and during injury spells that disrupted his preferred shape.
In recent months, the manager has introduced a hybrid 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing United to switch fluidly between defensive solidity and attacking creativity.
This tactical evolution has stabilized performances, though critics argue that it has come at the cost of Amorim’s signature attacking flair.
“Adapting doesn’t mean abandoning,” Amorim noted. “It means understanding your players — their strengths, their instincts — and finding balance between identity and practicality.”
As with any Manchester United manager, Amorim has faced intense public scrutiny. Some former players and pundits have questioned his substitutions and player selections, while others have praised his calm demeanor and commitment to long-term rebuilding.
Fan sentiment has been mixed — with sections of the Old Trafford faithful urging patience, citing improvements in youth integration and tactical discipline.
Football analyst Karen Carney described Amorim’s journey as “a manager trying to modernize a traditional club without losing its soul,” highlighting his efforts to nurture young talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo within a more structured tactical framework.