Manchester United’s first full season under Rúben Amorim is already brimming with drama, tactical shakeups, and transfer intrigue—just as fans have come to expect from Old Trafford. With the dust barely settled from a turbulent summer transfer window and a new formation on the pitch, the Red Devils are making headlines for both their bold moves and controversial decisions.
Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag, wasted little time imprinting his footballing philosophy at United. Shifting away from the club’s traditional 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 setups, he’s implemented his favored 3-4-2-1 system. At first glance, this formation seemed a risky bet, but with the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to fill the attacking midfield slots behind the center-forward, the squad is starting to click into place. Benjamin Šeško, a marquee summer signing, fits the central striker role to a tee, while Joshua Zirkzee offers a dynamic option off the bench. It’s a new era at United, but not everyone is convinced that all the pieces are in their ideal positions.
One of the most talked-about issues is the deployment of Amad as a right wing-back. Amad, who dazzled during his loan spell at Sunderland in the 2022/23 season with 14 goals and four assists from the right wing or attacking midfield, now finds himself tasked with defensive duties. Former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray didn’t mince words on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, stating, “Amad, who’s a brilliant footballer, Man United class, I would suggest… And you’re playing him at right wing-back just to fit into your system. He should be bending it in the top corner with his left foot, he should be sitting people on their backside and scoring wonderful goals like I know he can. Why’s he chasing people into his own box playing right wing-back?”
Mowbray’s frustration is echoed by a segment of United’s supporters, who remember Amad’s flair and creativity further up the pitch. The situation became more complicated following the acquisition of Bryan Mbeumo, as Amorim’s tactical plan only accommodates one left-footed attacking midfielder. With Mbeumo now occupying that coveted spot, Amad’s role as a wing-back appears sealed for the foreseeable future. Still, Amorim’s system isn’t as rigid as it seems. The manager’s tactical flexibility allows for in-game rotations, with Amad and Mbeumo swapping roles during possession, and the team occasionally morphing into a 4-4-2 when defending. This adaptability could yet unlock a new dimension in Amad’s game, even if it means more tracking back than he’d prefer.
While the debate over player positions rages on, another subplot has been brewing behind the scenes: the future of Kobbie Mainoo. After a breakout 2023/24 campaign, expectations were sky-high, but the young midfielder has struggled for minutes under Amorim. Mainoo’s frustration boiled over at the start of the 2025/26 season, as he found himself an unused substitute in United’s opening two Premier League fixtures. Rumors swirled about a possible exit, with Chelsea and several European heavyweights circling.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shed light on the situation, revealing that Mainoo was keen on a loan move to secure more playing time. However, United’s hierarchy—led by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe—stood firm. “Kobbie asked to go on loan, he never asked to go on a permanent,” Romano reported. “Man Utd said no, they decided internally, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe involved, that they couldn’t sell Kobbie Mainoo. This was a decision made with all the people involved: directors, CEO, coach and owner. ‘We can’t let Kobbie Mainoo go,’ that was the position.”
Amorim, for his part, addressed the issue head-on in a recent press conference. “I want Kobbie to stay,” he declared. “He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie, so that is not going to change. I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed. Everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.” While Mainoo remains at Old Trafford for now, Romano cautioned that “if he stays on the bench I think in January this could be a topic again.” The next few months could prove pivotal for the young midfielder’s career.
On the injury front, United supporters received a much-needed boost ahead of the looming Manchester derby. Matheus Cunha, who limped off during the thrilling 3-2 victory over Burnley last weekend, has reportedly received positive news regarding his fitness. The Brazilian’s availability is a relief for Amorim, with the derby shaping up to be a stern test of United’s new-look squad. Mason Mount’s setback could even open the door for Mainoo to make his mark, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the midfield selection.
But the transfer window’s closing days weren’t all smooth sailing for United. The club’s frantic search for a goalkeeper culminated in the £18.2 million signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. The move, prompted by shaky early-season performances from Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, has been met with skepticism. Former United stopper Ben Foster was particularly blunt on his Fozcast podcast, calling the Lammens deal a “panic buy.” Foster remarked, “Being a goalkeeper for United is the hardest goalkeeping position to play in world football… I think he’s a panic buy. United have probably always got some sort of list of goalkeepers that they look at and they keep tabs on. There will be scouts all over the world, but I don’t think they’ve done an in-depth analysis. A deadline day goalkeeper signing tells me that your club is desperate.”
Lammens, for his part, arrives with a decent pedigree—32 goals conceded in 30 appearances last season, seven clean sheets, and two player of the month awards. Yet, the shadow of what might have been hangs over the deal. United were reportedly close to landing Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, who was omitted from Villa’s squad for their loss to Crystal Palace, fueling speculation of an imminent transfer. Foster speculated that the collapse could have been down to “a medical issue, it could be a wages issue, it could be the transfer fee between the two clubs.” Whatever the reason, Martinez remains at Villa Park, facing an uncertain future, while United hope Lammens can steady the ship between the posts.
As the Manchester derby approaches, United’s season feels poised on a knife-edge. Amorim’s tactical revolution is still a work in progress, with player roles and squad harmony under the microscope. The next few weeks promise plenty of twists and turns—on and off the pitch. With high-profile signings, bold managerial calls, and a fanbase hungry for progress after last season’s 15th-place finish, one thing’s for sure: there’s never a dull moment at Old Trafford.
