“System this, system that” – Man Utd star explains why Scholes & Neville are dead wrong on Amorim

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt argues that Ruben Amorim’s system isn’t as peculiar as portrayed by the pundits.

Since the Portuguese manager’s arrival at Carrington, his 3-4-2-1 formation has been placed under great scrutiny. The 40-year-old has remained defiant, refusing to drop his tried-and-tested system, while insisting that the issue lies elsewhere, citing the team’s tendency to lose focus and drop its intensity.

Nevertheless, some of Man Utd’s biggest legends didn’t buy this explanation. For instance, Gary Neville has recently launched a brutal rant against Amorim and his choices following the club’s defeat to Brentford. Moreover, the likes of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes have also blasted the manager for his tactical stubbornness, insisting that his squad is more suited to a traditional 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation.

Matthijs de Ligt defends Amorim’s Man United system

For his part, De Ligt believes that Man United’s current system isn’t too different from the majority of the tactical setups deployed by other Premier League clubs.

The Dutchman insists that their 3-4-2-1 formation is far from rigid, but rather flexible and adaptable.

“We’re improving as a team,” said the former Ajax and Juventus defender in his interview with the Telegraph.

“In modern football even if you play a back four almost all teams play by building with three defenders. And we do often defend with four defenders.

“It’s always easy to say ‘system this, system that’. But, in the end, it’s always adaptable in the game. There’s no situation where the system is always the same in the game. In that way of being flexible and in the structure we have to find a way to get everything right and make everything happen.”

The centre-back also discussed several other topics in this long interview, including his relationship with Amorim, and why he feels he’s hitting his stride at the age of 26.

United legend Rio Ferdinand had recently hailed De Ligt for his impressive start to the campaign.

Can Amorim win over his detractors?

As is often the case, the manager of a struggling club will always be chastised for every decision he makes. Hence, as long as United are lingering in places that are far below their historic status, the detractors won’t go away.

Moreover, many feel that Amorim’s tactical choices are forcing him to make a series of ill-advised decisions, like fielding Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role and dropping Kobbie Mainoo from his plans altogether.

So unless Man Utd’s form picks up soon, pundits and supporters alike will continue to point the finger towards Amorim and his unpopular system.