Amorim Signals Tactical Shift As Afcon Absences Test United At Villa

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has conceded that his team will need to play differently if they are to come away with a positive result against Aston Villa on Sunday, with AFCON commitments beginning to reshape his plans.

United head into the West Midlands clash after a dramatic 4-4 draw at Old Trafford against Bournemouth, a match that again highlighted both their attacking promise and defensive fragility. Throughout that game, United appeared to shift between a back four and a three-man defensive setup, a sign of a side still searching for balance under their new coach.

Since arriving at Old Trafford, Amorim has largely stuck to his preferred 3-4-2-1 system. While the structure has offered control in some matches, it has also left United blunt going forward on occasion, most notably during their defeat to Everton. That rigidity is now being tested further by the absence of key players away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are all unavailable as they represent their countries at AFCON, removing crucial one-on-one quality and pace from United’s attacking options. Speaking ahead of the Villa encounter, Amorim acknowledged that these losses mean change is unavoidable.

He praised Aston Villa as a mature and well-drilled side, crediting their understanding of game moments and the stability brought by their manager. However, Amorim stressed that his main focus remains on his own squad and how best to adjust to the current challenges.

According to the United boss, the team has lost certain individual strengths due to AFCON, particularly in wide areas, and that will require a different tactical approach. He insisted, though, that his players will be ready for the challenge despite the disruption.

There was some positive news with the return of Benjamin Sesko, who made his comeback earlier in the week after a knee injury. Amorim described the striker as a unique profile within his squad, a natural presence in the box who thrives on movement and finishing chances. While acknowledging Sesko still has more to offer, the coach expressed confidence that the forward is physically ready and capable of making an impact.

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League standings, having missed the opportunity to draw level on points with Chelsea after the Bournemouth draw. Securing a top-four finish remains the primary objective to guarantee Champions League football, although finishing fifth could still be enough depending on English clubs’ performances in Europe.

Sunday’s clash carries added significance, with United starting the weekend seven points behind Villa. As AFCON continues to pull key players away across the league, Amorim’s ability to adapt his system could define whether United stay in touch with the Champions League places or fall further behind.