The tactical board at Carrington must look like a fever dream lately. Just when you think you’ve finally figured out the "new" identity of this squad, the rug gets pulled. Ruben Amorim is out, Michael Carrick is back in (again), and the three-at-the-back experiment has been tossed into the bin faster than a leaked training ground video.
If you were looking for the line up of man united during the Amorim era, you probably got used to that rigid 3-4-2-1. It was supposed to be the "DNA" fix. Instead, it felt like trying to force a square peg into a very expensive, underperforming round hole. But Saturday changed the vibe. Watching Carrick lead the boys to a 2-0 win over City at Old Trafford felt like a nostalgic fever dream, but one with actual tactical teeth.
The Return of the 4-2-3-1
Honestly, the biggest shock wasn't the result; it was the shape. Carrick didn't overthink it. He reverted to a classic 4-2-3-1, the system these players actually seem to understand. Senne Lammens—who has been a bit of a revelation since coming in—kept his spot in goal, but the shield in front of him looked totally different.
Harry Maguire is back. I know, I know. Half the fanbase groans, the other half cheers. But with Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined with that nagging back issue, Maguire’s return to the starting XI alongside Lisandro Martínez provided a level of aerial dominance we’ve lacked. Diogo Dalot and a finally-fit Luke Shaw occupied the flanks, and for the first time in months, United didn't look like they were leaving the "corridors" wide open for every winger in the league to exploit.
Breaking Down the New-Look Midfield
The engine room is where Carrick really put his stamp on things. He paired Casemiro with Kobbie Mainoo. It sounds simple, but under the previous regime, the distances between the two were often massive, leaving Mainoo to do the running of three men.
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On Saturday, they played closer together. It worked. Casemiro isn't as fast as he used to be—we all see it—but in a compact double pivot, his reading of the game is still elite. This setup gave Bruno Fernandes the freedom to just be a chaos agent in the No. 10 role.
- Casemiro: The Anchor. He’s there to break up play and feed the transitions.
- Mainoo: The Connector. His ability to wriggle out of tight spaces is basically the only reason United can transition from defense to attack without just hoofing it long.
- Fernandes: The Creator. When he’s not shouting at the ref, he’s still the most creative player in the league.
The Mbeumo and Dorgu Connection
The most exciting part of the current line up of man united has to be the wide areas. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu are essentially the "Post-Amorim" identity. Mbeumo, back from AFCON, looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. His goal in the 65th minute was pure instinct—a quick exchange with Bruno and a clinical finish that we just weren't seeing earlier in the season.
Then there’s Dorgu. He’s 21, fearless, and currently playing like he owns the left wing. His goal to seal the derby win was a back-post poacher’s dream, finishing off a cross from Matheus Cunha, who came off the bench. It’s weird to say, but United actually has depth in attack now. Between Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Dorgu, the speed on the break is terrifying.
Who’s Missing and Why It Matters
You can’t talk about the lineup without mentioning the ghosts in the room. Matthijs de Ligt is still the big one. Carrick mentioned in his press conference that the recovery is "slower than previously thought." It’s a blow because, on paper, a De Ligt-Martínez partnership is the dream.
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Also, Noussair Mazraoui is still away after Morocco’s run to the AFCON final. His absence has forced Dalot to play every minute, which is risky given the injury history in this squad. And then there's Joshua Zirkzee. He’s been linked with a move to Roma, but he missed the derby with a "knock." Whether that’s a real injury or "transfer flu" depends on who you believe on social media.
Tactical Shifts: What Most People Get Wrong
People think a lineup is just names on a graphic. It’s not. It’s about "rest defense" and "trigger presses." Under Amorim, the press was high but often disorganized. Carrick’s United sat slightly deeper. They invited City on, then bit.
It wasn't pretty for 90 minutes. It was pragmatic. Honestly, after the 15th-place finish last season and the shaky start to 2025/26, "pretty" is a luxury United can't afford.
"I just feel the energy," Carrick said after his first week back. "The boys have put the work in and we feel we're ready."
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He’s not lying. The energy at Old Trafford on Saturday was the loudest it’s been since the 2024 FA Cup final.
Actionable Insights for the Next Match
If you’re tracking the line up of man united for the upcoming games against Arsenal and Fulham, here is what to keep an eye on:
- The Shaw Factor: If Luke Shaw can stay fit for more than three games, the left-hand side of United's attack becomes twice as dangerous because of his overlapping runs.
- The Bench War: Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško are starting to look like "super-subs." Expect Carrick to keep them as "finishers" rather than starters for now to maintain that high-intensity pressure late in games.
- Shea Lacey’s Return: The kid is suspended right now, but once he's back, he offers a different profile on the wing—more technical, less raw speed.
United is currently sitting in 5th. It’s a massive jump from where they were a month ago. Whether Carrick can sustain this with a 4-2-3-1 or if the squad’s underlying issues will resurface is the big question. For now, the lineup looks settled, the tactics look logical, and for once, the fans aren't leaving at the 80th minute.
To keep up with the latest changes, monitor the Friday afternoon press conferences where Carrick has been surprisingly transparent about player availability. Watch the training clips for De Ligt's involvement; once he's back, the defensive line likely shifts again, possibly pushing Maguire back to the bench despite his recent form. Monitor the AFCON final result as well, as Mazraoui’s return will provide much-needed rotation for Dalot at right-back.