Jonny Evans played three games under Ruben Amorim last season at Manchester United and is well placed to vocalise his understanding of the Portuguese head coach’s system.
Despite the Northern Irish defender playing a big role under Erik ten Hag at times, this wasn’t the case under Ruben Amorim.
After just three appearances under Amorim, Jonny Evans retired from his playing career in June after two spells at the club. Following this, Manchester United appointed Evans as loan manager, a role in which he has impressed this season overall.
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But on Monday night, he was in the Sky Sports studio discussing Amorim and the 3-4-2-1 system and one particularly interesting aspect.
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Jonny Evans explains why Ruben Amorim asks his central centre-back to push into midfield
Amorim has been meticulously training his 3-4-2-1 system over the past 12 months, and the improvements have been clear. Within the tactical setup, there are several interesting features.
One of these is what Amorim asks his central centre-back to do in possession, that being to push forward into the midfield. Speaking to Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football, Evans explained why Amorim wants this.
“More often than not, it’s to give the keeper space, you don’t want to be stood on his toes.
“He likes to keep the structure of his team, not too much moving parts.
“Instead of your whole back five moving one way, he’ll just move one player.”
The structure, when building out, often sees Matthijs de Ligt taking up this role of pushing forward, while Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw move wider, giving Senne Lammens plenty of space and options on the ball.
Matthijs de Ligt has benefited from his role under Ruben Amorim
While it has been a slow burn, several Manchester United players are beginning to show signs that they are beneficiaries of Amorim’s system.
Among the most improved has been De Ligt, who has dominated for United this season.
De Ligt is living up to his Franz Beckenbauer comparisons, and he is arguably one of the first names on the teamsheet for United.
The role in the middle of the back three suits De Ligt so well, and he is becoming a real leader at United, with his potential on the way to being finally realised.
De Ligt is only coming into his prime years, and the best is yet to come.
