Amorim reinvents Man Utd: wins thanks to speed, not possession
Keeping the 3-4-3 but increasing the tempo, Ruben Amorim's Man Utd scored 1.79 goals/game when possession was under 50%, only 0.83 when over 50%. He prioritized control through goals.
Just two passes. That’s how Ruben Amorim wants Man Utd to finish off opponents, and it’s the moment that has defined recent games: win the ball, cut straight into the space behind the defender, and put the ball in the net before the opposition can settle down. After 10 rounds of the 2025/26 Premier League, a direct, fast and efficient Man Utd is evident.
Hold 3-4-3, increase speed and directness
Amorim has not broken the familiar 3-4-3 structure, but has adjusted it to make the team play faster and more decisively. Before the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, he made clear his philosophy of choosing the rhythm of play rather than rigidly building from the back: “I don’t believe we have to always play from the back. I want the team to know when to play quickly and when to control.”
Reality backs that choice up. When not trying to keep the ball, Man Utd become more dangerous in transition and attack the space in the channel behind the opposition defenders.
More effective when holding the ball less
The numbers illustrate the trend: in games with less than 50% possession, Man Utd scored an average of 1.79 goals per game; when they had more than 50% possession, the figure dropped to 0.83 goals per game. This is not a one-off phenomenon unique to Amorim, but has been going on for several seasons now – the Red Devils are often at their best when counter-attacking.
| Ball possession rate | Average goals/match |
|---|---|
| Under 50% | 1.79 |
| Over 50% | 0.83 |
The “two-pass” philosophy: speed is the order
Amorim names his target: “If there is space, I only need two passes to score. I want players to understand when to pass short, when to play fast. It is not always about touching the ball a lot.”
The opening goal against Liverpool last month was exemplary: after a series of aerial duels, Bruno Fernandes won the ball, spotted space behind defender Kerkez and threaded the ball through to Amad. With just one more cross, Bryan Mbeumo finished — a few touches, a lot of calculation, top speed.
Control by goals, not by possession
For Amorim, the team that scores is the team that controls. When Man Utd were 1-0 up against Liverpool, he was willing to concede the ball, squeeze space and force opponents to shoot from distance or from the flanks. So Man Utd’s xG is not superior, but it doesn’t matter if the opponent’s shot comes from an unfavorable area.
Not new, but better organized
Man Utd fans have seen a ruthless counter-attacking version under Mourinho, Solskjaer or Ten Hag. The difference now is discipline, tempo and consistency. However, the familiar problem remains: when facing a deep defensive block, United sometimes get stuck. Amorim admits: “When we are ahead, we often forget how to maintain the rhythm of play. I want players to keep the ball with purpose, not just to protect the score.”
From Plan A to Plan B
Amorim’s immediate priority is to perfect Plan A — a direct, fast-paced game — before moving on to Plan B, which is more proactive in its control. The return of Lisandro Martinez is expected to improve the build-up play thanks to the Argentine’s progressive passing ability.
United are on a four-game unbeaten run, finding the right balance between pressing, counter-attacking and controlling the tempo. Despite being without Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui for the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim believes the team can still maintain their momentum.
In a Premier League where tactics are constantly changing, Amorim's Man Utd proves a simple truth: having less possession does not mean being at a disadvantage — sometimes, it is the shortest path to victory.
