Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England. (AP)
In his first show as Manchester United manager, a draw at Ipswich Town, Ruben Amorim didn’t shed too many emotions. He smiled faintly when United scored just 82 seconds into the game, a goal that owed to his tactical rejig. With brown brooding eyes he watched his team fluctuate between energetic and erratic, bouts of purposeless possession dotted with spells of confusion. His reactions on the touchline were mild, no frantic gesturing, no guttural carnage of instructions, no pacing up and down the technical area, or no busy jot-notes.
How long the facade of calm would last, or how long before his nerves begin to snap has to be seen. The reeling, flailing club could make Mahatma Gandhi take up arms; or Mother Teresa lose her patience. Even before joining the club, he would have realised the extent of his task, the burden he has embraced. He would have sized up his team’s defects in the training sessions during the international break and by talking to the support staff, but watching them in a full, live match would have offered a clearer, broader picture of the unforgiving mission he had signed up for. “We are going to suffer for a long period,” he said after the game, matter-of-factly and not with grimness.
The refreshing bit of the admission was his honesty. He is not delusional enough to project himself as a miracle healer. He has not promised titles and trophies, he has not proclaimed to knock Pep Guardiola off his perch, a verbal faux pas of his predecessor Erik Ten Hag. A tenacious midfielder in his playing days, he sounded realistic and pragmatic. Instead, he dwelled on his “idea” of playing the game. “I think you will see an idea. You would like it or not, I don’t know, but you will see an idea. We will have problems, the players will be confused sometimes but we have to address the new idea and try to be better for this stage next year,” he explained.
Ruben Amorim has replaced Erik Ten Hag has new Manchester United manager. (AP)
The new “idea” is a back three, two wingbacks lurking on the touchline, a staggered central midfield pair, two No 10s pulling the string behind a classical No 9. The formation, when employed with the right men could be both dynamic and sturdy, offer goals and defensive stability. But United don’t have the men to make this system work. It requires untiring legs and lungs at the heart of the midfield. Amorim paired Cristian Eriksen and Casemiro, both ageing and slow, their best days long gone. Once Kobbie Mainoo returns fully fit from his injury and Manuel Ugarte internalises the tune and tempo of the league, they could form a more potent duo. The Eriksen-Casemiro duet was never going to work against an aggressively pressing Ipswich Town. They cut swathes through the United midfield.
But Amorim didn’t flinch from his trusted methods, even though he knew the inherent risks. He didn’t possess the right men in his three-man defence. It made Jonny Evans, 36, look his age. He was slow and ponderous, culpable for Ipswich’s equaliser, a couple of mistakes redeemed by the reflexes of goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Matthias de Lit is not the quickest around. Neither are the back-ups Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf. Apart from the injury-savvy Lisandro Martinez, none of them possess the bark and bite that Amorim loves in his back-line. “It is not a system or formation, it’s like the character of the players, the way they see the club that matters the most,” he said. Striking the balance would be key in the first season, where he has to work with the men at his disposal, even though they don’t blend in with his formula.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, left, is congratulated by Amad Diallo after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England. (AP)
The incoherence at Portman Road thus was understandable. But there were green shoots of promise too. When rhyme and rhythm sync, their forward line could be exhilarating to watch. Two-touch passing was marvellous at times, Bruno Fernandes relished his newfound freedom, the wingbacks Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot buzzed and channeled their creative forces. Diallo could emerge as the most important player in his side. For the opening goal, his deft and precise passing with Fernandes freed up space upfront, he was so quick that he took out two defenders, freeing up Dalot, Garnacho and Rashford, who eventually scored. It was a glimpse into the bright, brave world Amorim promises.
There were other positives too. The short, slick quick passes in the buildup were effective when they came off. The press was aggressive to start with. Two-touch passes were delicious at times. But United could sustain none of these throughout the 90 minutes. With refinement, their passing could be top-notch; with fitter players, their press could be relentless. Amorim has been emphasising on physicality, and deeper into the season, United could shed their soft-as-pudding disposition, especially when defending. The coordination would also improve once they get used to the new conductor.
But most importantly, they have a gaffer who is not deluded by the past glories; realistic enough to admit that his team is in for a tough time in the coming months of flux; humble enough to not shout war-cries and wise enough to offer hollow promises, but brave enough to stick to his ideas and convictions.
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
