Ruben Amorim might have to drop Manchester United star signing to fix his formation

It is understandable why Manchester United prioritised an attacking overhaul in the summer transfer window and it is obvious why they wanted to sign Premier League-proven players as well. United scored just 44 league goals as a team last season: Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo netted 35 between themselves for Wolves and Brentford, respectively.

There was no guarantee they would hit similar heights in teams where they were no longer the main attacking threats, though there was clear hope they would make United a more dangerous side. Last week, Ruben Amorim labelled the decision to sign the duo as 'less risky' than if they had signed players who were not proven in the English top-flight.

To fix his United formation, he might have to take a bigger risk with them. It almost feels pointless to suggest United try any other formation, such is Amorim's faith in the 3-4-2-1; instead, it makes more sense to suggest tactical tweaks that could make it work. One could be to drop a star summer signing.

For all the excitement of adding Cunha and Mbeumo to the United first-team squad, there were also questions about how they would actually fit into the starting line up. Amorim was already well-stocked in attacking midfield, and there was only really a desperate need for one other option there, given Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo had impressed in those roles last season.

Instead, they have both been sacrificed. Fernandes has dropped into a deeper midfield role, from which he has still influenced matches, while Amad has yet to really shine in any position this season. These are changes Amorim wanted to make for the long-term greater good of the team, but if he is to keep his job in the short-term, he might have to make a switch.

Although it is true Fernandes has still been able to create plenty of chances from deep, he is still better-suited to a more advanced role, and the decision to utilise him in central midfield puts greater pressure on his midfield partner. Casemiro is the only option with enough defensive discipline to balance the midfield axis, but his lack of mobility is a problem that needs to be compensated for.

United might enjoy better success under Amorim if they adopted a midfield two of Casemiro and either Manuel Ugarte or Kobbie Mainoo, but to do so, something has to give in attack. Mbeumo has been the best forward at the club so far this season, while Benjamin Sesko netted his first goal in the defeat to Brentford last weekend.

It therefore makes the most sense for Cunha to drop to the bench, with Fernades utilised in his preferred attacking midfield role alongside Mbeumo and another central midfielder introduced behind him. Even for all their struggles, Mbeumo has created the third-most chances of any Premier League player across all competitions this season and Fernandes is fourth in the list. Amorim needs these two at the heart of his side, and it would be exciting to see them utilised together in the forward line.

Cunha still has an enormous role to play at United and could easily work his way back into the starting line up as either an attacking midfielder or the man to lead their attack. However, after a frustrating performance against Brentford, in which he was guilty of trying to do things alone too often, it might make sense to try something new to freshen the forward line.

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