Recreate Ruben Amorim’s surprise switch to a back four in Football Manager 2026 with player roles, in-possession shape, and pressing structure explained.
It’s fair to say Rúben Amorim’s first year-or-so in charge of Manchester United has been filled with many highs and many, many lows. Unfortunately, the lows have outnumbered the highs so far.
A significant part of the reasoning behind United’s poor form under the Portuguese manager can be accounted for by a failure to adapt to Amorim’s desired 3-4-3 formation. However, in truth, the devil is in the detail.
Despite stating that he would never waive his devout commitment to the 3-4-3 formation, Rúben Amorim made a timely change during Manchester United’s chaotic 4-4 classic vs Bournemouth: he switched to a back-four.
Funnily enough, I was testing the tactic demonstrated in this article a day or two before the initial reports of the formation switch had occurred. So I’ve, somehow, accidentally ‘recreated’ most of the facets of the system as it would end up being vs Bournemouth.
We live in a strange, strange world.
Goodbye, Back Three; Hello, Back Four!
Call it ‘succumbing to the pressure’. Call it ‘making the necessary change’. Call it an ‘apt formation tweak’.
Let the narratives run wild - Manchester United are back to playing a back-four, for now, to immense excitement and joy of many.
The 4-4-2 shape out-of-possession has been used in brief periods under Amorim, finding success in United’s wins over Brighton and Sunderland. However, the 4-4-2 shape has not yet been as distinctive as it was in United’s dramatic draw vs Bournemouth.
United would begin their out-of-possession exploits by pressing high in a man-oriented fashion, trying to filter the Cherries wide.
If Bournemouth broke through United’s press, Amad would drop deeper to temporarily re-assume the ‘right wing-back’ position and corresponding role. That would create a faux-5-3-2/5-4-1.
New Formation, Similar Intentions
Whilst the switch to the back-four was, indeed, made by Rúben Amorim, his team still employed similar patterns and shapes in all three phases of possession as they had done within the previous 3-4-3 shape.
From the platform of the back-four, the left-back, Dalot, would push higher and wider. This allowed the ‘left-winger’, Mount, to move inside.
On the right, the right-back, Yoro, would move inside to form the side’s back-three in-possession. That allowed the ‘right-winger’, Amad, to hold the team’s width on that flank.
As a result of this change, Amad consistently took up significantly higher positions on the right flank than he would as a right wing-back in the previous 3-4-3 set-up.
Additionally, as United progressed up the pitch, as the 3-4-3 sometimes allowed for, Bruno Fernandes would push higher to form a 3-1-5-1 in-possession shape for United.
United’s overall attacking shape was that of a 4-2-4, or an asymmetrical 4-3-3. In truth, it turned a few heads back to the glory days of Sir Alex’s 4-4-2.
Differing Attacking Intent
Amorim’s post hasn’t necessarily been bereft of claims that he’s too passive. In fact, it’s what many consider to be his biggest, most primary flaw.
The Portuguese manager took a hammering from fans and pundits alike following United’s successive home failures vs Everton (0-1) and struggling West Ham (1-1). Many bashed him for being the ‘antithesis’ of Manchester United, alluding to his opposing style of play to that of previous United sides.
However, versus Bournemouth, Manchester United were rampant, relentless, and absolutely scintillating. There was an unwillingness to relent from attacking, even at 4-3 up.
Now, this might have led to United conceding a fourth. But fans were a lot more appreciative and forgiving considering how well United played for the vast majority of the 90 minutes.
Let’s Break Down the Tactic
In Possession
Versus Bournemouth, United operated at a higher tempo than before in the 3-4-3. However, the emphasis of the side was still to utilise shorter passes predominantly, allowing United to consistently progress the play through the thirds.
Amorim also allowed for his players to roam and rotate often.
In build-up, I combined Amorim’s ideas and my ideas to form a flexible, adaptable build-up pattern. The ‘bait the press’ strategy sits at the forefront of this approach.
Finally, in general, only certain players would tend to carry forward. The likes of Cunha and Amad.
Out of Possession
When United lost the ball in the game against Bournemouth, they would immediately counter-press to try and regain possession as quickly as possible.
If they were unable to regain possession, they were happy to drop off slightly into a ‘high-block’.
From there, they would press Bournemouth often and force play into wide areas.
Player Roles
Goalkeeper | Goalkeeper
Whilst the Bournemouth game wasn’t his greatest performance overall, Lammens has been a revelation to the club since joining from Royal Antwerp in the summer just gone, providing a relatively safe pair of hands and De Gea-like reflexes.
In this system, he isn’t really asked to do anything in particular, neither in or out of possession.
Overlapping Centre-Back | Full-Back
Here is another example of myself tweaking the reality of Amorim’s new system to fit what I believe to be the most optimal solution.
In reality, it was more usually Luke Shaw, the left-sided centre-back, who would overlap the wide player in front of him.
Additionally, during United’s build-up, he would often make untracked runs beyond the midfield line, adding another layer to United’s build-up exploits.
For me, however, I feel this suits United on the right side more. It allows the right-back/right centre-back to link-up with Amad and/or Mbeumo.
Centre-Back | Centre-Back
In real life, Matthijs de Ligt isn’t the most adventurous on the ball - hence the choice in role.
However, as I’ll cover later in this article, Heaven is a lot more adventurous, hence his personalised player role and instructions.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
I’d suggest just imagining that a ‘recreation’ of the exact system used in United’s draw against Bournemouth would have this position’s role and the right centre-back’s role swapped sides.
This is simply a combination of my concept and the reality of the system.
Advanced Wing-Back | Full-Back
In this system, as aforementioned, the ‘left-back’ would push higher and wider to assume a typical ‘wing-back’ position in-possession.
However, when United didn’t have the ball, Dalot, the left-back, would drop into the backline to form the side’s back-four in the 4-4-2 out-of-possession shape.
Defensive Midfielder | Defensive Midfielder
Casemiro has been a player reborn this season, running back the years with multiple stellar performances, proving to be one of United’s most important players.
In this system, his job is quite simple: retain and recycle possession.
He will also strategically move wider in build-up to allow the ‘central centre-back’ to step-up alongside him.
Box-to-Box Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
As previously mentioned, like in the 3-4-3, Bruno Fernandes will regularly move higher to add another body to United’s attack, forming a 3-1-5-1/3-1-6 attacking shape.
In any case, Bruno Fernandes is still the side’s chief creator, moving side to side to link-up with team-mates and initiate, or supplement, dangerous attacking moves.
When United don’t have the ball, Bruno drops into a double-pivot with Casemiro.
Winger | Tracking Wide Midfielder
In this adapted system, Amad has been given licence to hold a much higher position more consistently.
From here, he holds the width, before usually cutting inside with the ball to link-up with teammates, shoot at goal, or whip a cross into the back post.
He isn’t tied to the touchline, however, as he can situationally drift inside and interchange positions with Mbeumo.
When United don’t have the ball for sustained periods, he is initially in the midfield line to help form the side’s 4-4-2 out-of-possession shape, before temporarily dropping into the backline to form a back-five.
Attacking Midfielder | Wide Midfielder
The role in this position largely depends on the player United play in this position.
If it’s Mason Mount, the role can change into a ‘Channel Midfielder’. If it’s Matheus Cunha, it can change into a ‘Free Role’ - the list goes on.
However, as a general rule of thumb, the player in this position would tend to roam from their position and would aim to create for others.
When United don’t have the ball, this player drops deeper and wider to help form the 4-4-2 out-of-possession shape.
Shadow Striker | Centre Forward
In this adapted system, Mbeumo is largely positioned much closer to the striker.
This allows him to link-up in close, confined spaces and escape markers by making runs in-behind. As such, he is largely on the last line of the opposition’s defence.
When United don’t have the ball, Mbeumo moves higher to form a front two with the nominal striker.
False Nine | Centre Forward
In the game versus Bournemouth, Cunha started as the nominal striker.
From here, he regularly dropped off the last line and into midfield to receive the ball under pressure, link play, and/or carry forward, before largely creating for others.
However, when the nominal striker is Šeško or otherwise, the role changes, as I’ll cover shortly.
Personalised Player Roles
During testing, to accommodate for the plethora of differing profiles United have, I used a fair few personalised player roles.
Here are all of them, and their respective instructions (if any):
(DC | DCR) Ball-Playing Centre-Back | Centre-Back
N/A
(WBL | DL) Wing-Back | Full-Back
(DMCL | DMCL) Box-to-Box Playmaker | Defensive Midfielder
(AMCL | ML) Free Role | Wide Midfielder
(AMCL | ML) Channel Midfielder | Wide Midfielder
(AMCL | ML) Attacking Midfielder | Wide Midfielder
(AMCR | STCR) Channel Midfielder | Centre Forward
(AMR | MR) Wide Forward | Tracking Wide Midfielder
(AMR | MR) Winger | Tracking Wide Midfielder
(STC | STCL) Centre Forward | Centre Forward
(STC | STCL) Deep-Lying Forward | Centre Forward
Results
Premier League
We secured title no. 21 for Manchester United in testing, dominating a Premier League that simply couldn’t comprehend our new system and couldn’t handle our influx of supreme, attacking talent!
Of our 38 league games, we won 31 games, drew 6 games, and lost just 1 game all season.
Additionally, we scored a league-high 89 goals (2.34 goals per game) and conceded just 22 goals (0.57 goals per game).
Domestic Cups
We were unable to go too far in the Carabao Cup, tasting defeat in the Quarter-Finals to Newcastle, losing 3-2 at St. James’ Park.
We were just as unfortunate against Tottenham Hotspur at the same stage in the FA Cup, as a 3-1 defeat in extra time saw us knocked out in North London.
Just the one trophy for us this season, albeit being the biggest, and most prestigious trophy available.
Read Also
- FM26 Tactics Hub
- FM26 Best Youth Academies
- FM26 Wonderkids by PA, Price & Position
- FM26 Transfer Budgets
Conclusion
United’s 13 months playing the 3-4-3 under the guidance of Rúben Amorim were a rollercoaster ride.
From the highs of late, Anfield anarchy, to the lows of a heart-wrenching Europa League Final loss to domestic rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, to hand the Lilywhites their first trophy in a generation.
However, a switch to a more comfortable, more recognisable back-four could be the catalyst for a red redemption, as United keenly chase a UEFA Champions League spot.
If you want a taste of this intriguing tactic, make sure to download the tactic using the link attached to this article.
Also make sure to follow FM Blog (@fmbIog) and myself (@AshtonGgmu) on our respective socials.
I hope you have enjoyed this article, and I wish you much success with this tactic on your saves. Thanks for reading!
