Amorim vows to shed Man United rigidity at AC Milan
Ruben Amorim has told reporters that he cannot repeat the mistakes he made at Man United, and that he is already adjusting his tactics at AC Milan to suit the squad. The Portuguese coach, who was sacked by Manchester United in January 2026, highlighted the need for change after a 3-0 victory over Lecce.
Stubbornness defined his United spell
Amorim’s 14‑month tenure at Manchester United earned him a reputation for stubbornness, as he clung to a three‑at‑the‑back system despite player discomfort. The refusal to adapt in the Premier League sparked major backlash and made his dismissal at the start of 2026 appear inevitable.
Milan appointment brings formation tweak
Appointed in June, Amorim initially set AC Milan up in the same three‑defender shape but introduced a subtle mid‑game shift to a back four. After the 3‑0 win over Lecce, he said the side enjoyed “more freedom” and that the new movement improved attacking depth.
“A great victory. I liked the movement, especially the attacking depth. We managed the game and read the opponent well,” Amorim said after the match.
Amorim now embraces tactical flexibility
“I can’t repeat my mistakes from Manchester. If we don’t have the characteristics to play a certain way, we have to adapt,” he added, noting that “we’ll go back to building with three, but we’ll see.” (AFP)
He praised Italian coaches for their one‑on‑one approach and stressed that “these are different times, but we’re improving.” The manager’s willingness to deviate from his former rigidity marks a clear break from his Red Devils era.
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In Serie A, Amorim has not lost a league game, guiding Milan through five fixtures with three wins and two draws. The side has conceded the fourth‑fewest goals and scored ten, the third‑highest tally behind Roma and Inter.
The only defeat under his Milan reign came in the Europa League, where Benfica beat his men 2‑0 in the league‑phase opener.
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During pre‑season, Milan beat Man United 4‑2, a result that left Amorim in a good mood and reinforced his belief that tactical flexibility can yield success.