Ruben Amorim has finally solved Man Utd problem with double masterstroke

Manchester United supporters were greeted with the sight of their team in the top four on Sunday morning, following a 4-2 victory over Brighton. The Reds leapfrogged their rivals in the table after Liverpool's defeat the previous evening, just a week after besting them on home turf.

Under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, United have now secured three consecutive league victories for the first time since a four-match winning streak in February 2024. The upcoming away games against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham present another chance for this United squad to demonstrate their European credentials. Amorim will be keen to keep up the recent momentum.

The team's revival can be partly attributed to an enhanced midfield performance from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. Despite lingering doubts about the feasibility of an attack-minded Fernandes and an ageing Casemiro as a midfield duo, Amorim's subtle tactical adjustments have helped fortify the central areas.

United are deploying Luke Shaw from left centre-back to step into the midfield line, condensing the play while also providing additional cover for the midfield axis. Furthermore, in Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo, Amorim has a trio who are willing to track back and fill in, once again offering an extra layer of protection to Casemiro and Fernandes.

It also grants the skipper greater freedom to venture forward and influence proceedings in the final third, with the likes of Cunha and Mount possessing the discipline to drop back and fill the void left by Fernandes.

While last season United deployed wide players such as Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony and Marcus Rashford, who frequently failed to track back and assist defensively, this campaign the Red Devils have altered their attacking composition and it's bearing fruit.

The industrious work rate was noted by former United midfielder Michael Carrick, who was providing analysis for Match of the Day.

"You can't expect two midfielders against a good team to deal with three or four players so how do you find a solution?" he said.

"They have the forwards dropping in to support Bruno and Casemiro, and they have found support with Luke Shaw jumping in and statying in there to almost make a three in midfield.

"In the end it is a numbers game and a spaces game and you have to fill the right spaces. Bruno, Luke Shaw and Casemiro fill that middle of the pitch.

"I feel there is something building, Casemiro holds the middle of the pitch, Cunha drifts a bit, Bruno has licence to drift a bit higher and Mbuemo can drift off Sesko and there is that bit of fluidity."