A new chapter began for Manchester United as Rúben Amorim took charge of his first match as manager in a pre-season friendly against arch-rivals Leeds United. Though the match ended in a goalless 0-0 draw, it was far from uneventful, with Matheus Cunha making his much-anticipated debut in red and the Amorim era showing glimpses of tactical evolution.
Despite the lack of goals, fans at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium were treated to a competitive and fast-paced match that highlighted the ambitions — and the challenges — that lie ahead for Manchester United under their new Portuguese boss.
Amorim’s First XI A Tactical Preview
For his debut on the touchline, Amorim opted for a hybrid 3-4-3 formation, reminiscent of his successful system at Sporting CP. In possession, the system morphed into a fluid 3-2-5, allowing for both wide overloads and central penetration.
Here’s how United lined up:
- Goalkeeper: André Onana
- Defenders: Lisandro Martínez, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot
- Wing-backs: Luke Shaw (LWB), Amad Diallo (RWB)
- Midfield Pivot: Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen
- Front Three: Alejandro Garnacho, Matheus Cunha, Jadon Sancho
The most notable aspect was the use of Amad Diallo as an inverted right wing-back, offering width and underlapping runs, a tactic Amorim has utilized before with converted wingers. In midfield, Mainoo’s calmness and Eriksen’s vision formed the creative spine.
Matheus Cunha’s Debut Bright and Bold
Matheus Cunha, signed earlier this summer from Wolves in a deal worth around £42 million, was the centre of attention. Though not yet fully integrated with his teammates, Matheus Cunha showed flashes of what he can bring: dynamic off-the-ball movement, pressing intensity, and a keen eye for combining in tight areas.
“He’s still learning our system, but his work ethic and intelligence were clear today,” said Amorim in his post-match conference. “Cunha gives us verticality and pressing from the front — that’s what we want.”
In the first half, Cunha had a couple of half-chances — one low-driven shot parried away by Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, and another header narrowly off target from a Dalot cross. Though he didn’t score, his link-up play with Sancho and Garnacho was promising.
Leeds Disciplined and Disruptive
Leeds, under new head coach Daniel Farke, came into the match with a clear plan: press high, disrupt United’s buildup, and transition quickly. They executed that well in stretches, especially in the first 30 minutes, where United struggled to progress the ball cleanly through midfield.
Leeds’ standout performer was Archie Gray, the 18-year-old midfielder who showcased composure and tenacity well beyond his years. He thwarted several United attacks and nearly assisted a goal in the 38th minute, slipping a clever pass to Georginio Rutter, whose shot was saved by Onana.
Despite missing key players like Patrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville, Leeds looked sharp and organized — a far cry from the chaotic defending that plagued them last season.
First-Half Highlights Sharp Tempo Missed Chances
The match kicked off at a brisk pace. United controlled early possession but were nearly caught out in the 8th minute when Rutter broke free after a midfield turnover. Fortunately for United, Onana was alert and snuffed out the danger with a sweeping clearance.
On the other end, Garnacho was a constant threat. His ability to cut inside from the left troubled the Leeds defense, and he came closest to scoring in the 24th minute, curling a shot just over the bar after a one-two with Sancho.
Cunha’s pressing forced Leeds into errors, and in the 35th minute, he intercepted a poor back pass, rounded the keeper but failed to get a shot off before being closed down.
Despite both teams’ positive intent, the half ended 0-0, with United enjoying 61% possession but failing to register a shot on target beyond Cunha’s early attempt.
Second Half Changes Debuts and Tactical Tweaks
Amorim made several changes at halftime, introducing Mason Mount, Willy Kambwala, and Alvaro Fernandez, shifting the shape to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 to test out different dynamics.
Mount’s entrance brought energy to the midfield, and he almost scored with a powerful effort from distance in the 57th minute that grazed the top of the net.
Meanwhile, Fernandez impressed at left-back, overlapping with pace and sending in two dangerous crosses, one of which found Cunha at the far post, though his volley was deflected.
For Leeds, Farke handed minutes to Joe Gelhardt and Daniel James, with the latter nearly scoring on a counterattack in the 72nd minute, but again, Onana came up big.
United’s tempo dipped slightly in the final 15 minutes, reflecting pre-season fitness levels. Despite a late push, including a dangerous freekick from Eriksen, neither side could break the deadlock.
Amorim’s Take A Work in Progress
Post-match, Amorim remained pragmatic.
“This is step one. We’re building something — a new system, a new culture. The effort was there, but execution needs time,” he said.
When asked about Cunha’s performance, the Portuguese manager smiled:
“Matheus brings fight and flair. He’s not a static No. 9 — he moves, creates, presses. That’s what we want up front. The goals will come.”
He also praised Mainoo and Amad Diallo, hinting that both will feature prominently in his plans.
Tactical Takeaways
Though it’s early days, several key observations emerged from Amorim’s first match:
- Pressing Philosophy: United pressed high in coordinated waves, particularly in the first half — a clear Amorim fingerprint.
- Fluid Formations: The team shifted between 3-4-3, 3-2-5, and 4-2-3-1, showing tactical versatility, albeit with execution gaps.
- Wide Progression: Fullbacks and wing-backs were vital to ball progression. Shaw and Dalot played high and wide, while Fernandez showed promise off the bench.
- Midfield Mobility: Mainoo’s ability to play out of tight spaces was crucial. Amorim may look to build around him as a midfield anchor.
The Road Ahead Fixtures and Expectations
Next up for United is a clash with Borussia Dortmund in Frankfurt, followed by matches against Real Betis and AS Monaco. These games will further test the team’s adaptation to Amorim’s ideas.
In terms of transfers, the club remains active in the market. With Anthony Martial’s departure now confirmed and uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford’s fitness, more reinforcements in attack are expected. Amorim is also believed to be seeking another central midfielder who can dictate tempo and offer defensive stability.
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