United React | What do we need to change following city defeat

Another defeat. Sigh...

Lee Francis believes that Ruben Amorim needs to strip things back to basics if he is to steady Manchester United and himself.

This is not about tearing up the system. He has made it clear enough that such a shift is not on the cards. But something has to give.

The first step could be as simple as picking players in their natural positions. That might sound obvious, yet it has been too often ignored.

Finding a single talking point from Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City was no easy task, so this is more a reflection of the scattergun frustrations that derby produced.

Bruno Fernandes is among the finest attacking midfielders in the game. Since joining in 2020, he has consistently topped the Premier League’s charts for chances created.

READ MORE | Iconic Moments | city at home | November 1994

READ MORE | United React | The decision to let Rasmus Hojlund leave

So why, against City, was Fernandes dropping as deep as the back three to collect possession while Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu were left as United’s most advanced outlets?

If Amorim wants to help himself, he must park the midfield experiment when Chelsea come to Old Trafford on Saturday.

With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount ruled out of the derby through injury, there is an ideal opening to restore Fernandes to his favoured role as a number 10. Pairing the captain with Bryan Mbeumo either side of Benjamin Sesko would allow Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo to anchor the midfield and bring some much-needed balance.

Mainoo only appeared for half an hour at the Etihad but immediately looked the most composed United player on the pitch. You can definitely play him deeper. Against city, we sahe him picking the ball up on the halfway line and start driving the ball and team forward.

There are simpler tweaks, too. Restoring Mazraoui to the back three in place of Luke Shaw would strengthen that unit and free up the second number 10 slot for Fernandes, with Amad Diallo reverting to right wing-back.

Whatever changes Amorim makes, he cannot continue to blunt his captain.