In the seventh instalment of Metro’s In The Mixer, we’re looking at how Manchester United can learn from Crystal Palace to finally get their formation working in the Premier League. Sign up to receive this, plus exclusive analysis, insights and transfer talk straight to your inbox every week.
In the 32 Premier League games since Ruben Amorim was appointed as Manchester United manager, his side have won 34 points – enough to place them 15th in an imaginary league table.
Crystal Palace have gobbled up 55 points in the same time period and have lost just five of those 32. They sit fifth in that imaginary table.
Only Liverpool and Arsenal have fewer losses since last November and Palace are currently unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions.
Oliver Glasner’s side are doing this using the same basic formation as Man United, one which Amorim needs to figure out because, as he said last week, ‘not even the Pope’ will make him change it.
So how have Palace managed to be so good while United continue to flounder?
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Ruben Amorim’s formation is not the problem
A straight comparison between the sides shows stark differences in the way they play.
Palace sit back and let their opponents have the ball before launching devastating counter attacks through Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr.
Last season the Eagles averaged 42.6% possession, the fourth least in the division.
Despite this they also created the sixth-highest number of big chances, averaging 2.24 per game.
When they do get the ball, they like to pass it around at the back to draw the other team on, creating space in behind for them to drive into – a classic example being Eberechi Eze’s goal in last season’s FA Cup final.
United are more focused on possession and trying to create as many shots as they can.
However, as both Liverpool and Arsenal have proven in recent weeks, breaking down a defensive side can be difficult if they are set up correctly.
Amorim’s side don’t have either the quality or well-oiled system to break sides down in a reliable manner, and still have the vulnerabilities that were such a problem under Erik Ten Hag when they lose the ball.
It means games often end up in a familiar pattern: United pass the ball around a bit, the other team win it back, United look too open. Rinse and repeat.
There are some positive signs so far this season – United have created plenty of chances, and wins from their next two games against Brentford and Sunderland would change the mood music around Old Trafford.
But if you are wedded to a three-man defence as Amorim so definitively is, all the evidence points to a more conservative playstyle being the way forward.
Should Ruben Amorim change his formation?
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Yes, it’s clearly not working
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No, he should stick to his principles
Are Palace’s players better than United’s?
Despite, or perhaps precisely because of the approximately £830m spent on players since Erik Ten Hag joined the club in April 2022, United are a side void of a clear personality or plan.
They’ve ended up in a situation where their best player in recent years, Bruno Fernandes, is having to play out of position to accommodate others.
Money spent on the likes of Antony and Andre Onana has turned out to be a waste, while some of those sold for low fees, like Anthony Elanga, would have suited Amorim’s style of play better.
Palace have also made mistakes in the transfer market – the money spent on players like Eddie Nketiah and Matheus Franca could have been put to better use elsewhere – but they have been able to identify the types of players that will fit their squad and target those.
Need a passer in midfield? We’ll go get Adam Wharton. A quick, hard-working forward? Ismaila Sarr will do.
What about a goalkeeper who is reliable and has a strong personality? Look no further than… Dean Henderson, the former United keeper that has become a cult hero in south London.
United could have done with him this summer.
If fact, they could’ve done with a number of Palace players.
Expectations vs reality
The two clubs have different expectations, although one should at this point ask why.
Glasner’s side just had one of the best moments in the club’s history, winning the FA Cup against Manchester City, and qualified for Europe for the first time.
United are still harking back to the Sir Alex days, expecting, needing to challenge for trophies and titles each season. Anything else is considered a disaster.
It means they have to play front-foot, dominant football – or at least try to – while Palace can be that bit more defensive without being criticised for their approach.