How Man Utd could line-up as Amorim reverts to 4-3-3 formation vs Bournemouth with Mainoo recalled | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly planning to make big changes to his team for the Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, Amorim has overseen 58 games in all competitions and has always used his trusted 3-4-2-1 formation.

Our sources revealed that United’s board have often asked the 40-year-old to consider an alteration to his system and finally, it news broke on Monday that he is finally now ready to experiment with a 4-3-3 formation – which could potentially be debuted on Monday evening against the Cherries.

We’ve taken a look at how Manchester United could potentially line up against Bournemouth if Amorim selects a 4-3-3 formation.

GK: Senne Lammens

A deadline day signing, Lammens has replaced Altay Bayindir as the first-choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford and will make his 10th appearance for United against Bournemouth.

RB: Diogo Dalot

Dalot developed into a good full-back under Ten Hag, winning the United Players’ Player of the Year award in the 2023/24 campaign.

But Amorim’s arrival in November 2024 and the switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation has seen the Portugal international deployed as a makeshift left wing-back.

He’s subsequently struggled to reach the same levels he did under Ten Hag and lacks the attacking output required from a wing-back in Amorim’s system.

The 26-year-old would be one of the main beneficiaries of a return to a back four formation, which allows him to focus on the defensive side of the game.

Noussair Mazraoui is the other right-back in the United squad, although the Morocco international is expected to miss the Bournemouth game to link up with his national team before the Africa Cup of Nations.

CB: Leny Yoro

After conceding a penalty against Crystal Palace, Yoro lost his place in Amorim’s team and was named on the bench against West Ham and Wolves.

But the potential switch to a back four formation and the uncertainty surrounding Mazraoui’s involvement could lead to a recall for the 20-year-old centre-back.

United are also without first-choice centre-backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt due to injury problems.

CB: Ayden Heaven

Despite being substituted at half-time against West Ham, Heaven responded with an impressive performance against Wolves and is likely to keep his place in the starting line-up.

Lisandro Martinez recently returned to the United team after a lengthy injury layoff and made substitute appearances against Crystal Palace, West Ham and Wolves.

While the Argentina international will want to start against Bournemouth, Amorim is likely to take a more cautious approach.

“Licha is a guy who has a big character,” Amorim said. “I feel that he stops for a year and now he wants things really, really fast and you have to manage that to explain with that injury, we need to go step by step, but he’s getting ready, he’s feeling really strong.

“He’s one more guy to help the team to play better, so I’m really happy with Licha at the moment.”

LB: Luke Shaw

Shaw has been playing exclusively as a left-sided centre-back for United in the 2025/26 season, but he is still a left-back by trade.

“I think I do still see myself as more of a left wing back/left back sort of role,” he admitted. “I think the manager does know that, but I think, at the end of the day, it’s up to the manager and the teams he selects.

“No matter where the manager wants to put me, I’m happy to just be on the pitch and give everything I can. I think [left centre-back] is still an important role.

“We start the build-up, so it’s important we’re good on the ball. But it’s not as much as I’m used to. I do miss it [playing left-back/left wing-back]. I’m still learning and adapting to the new position.”

While the 30-year-old may now lack the athleticism to play as a wing-back, left-back in a back four is a less physically demanding role and Shaw is a better defender than Patrick Dorgu.

CDM: Casemiro

This time last year, Casemiro found himself on the fringes of the United team and looked set to move to the Saudi Pro League.

But the Brazil international worked himself back into Amorim’s plans and is now one of the first names on the teamsheet, while Manuel Ugarte currently has a bit-part role.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo established himself as one of the best young midfielders in Europe in the 2023/24 season, but has since fallen down the pecking order under Amorim.

The manager has used Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as his pivot in the midfield two, while giving Mainoo just 183 Premier League minutes this season.

“Of course, like everyone else,” Amorim said when asked if he rates Mainoo. “The problem is we are playing with two [in midfield] and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing.

“Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes. Imagine that this happens. Someone in front is going to lose their spot. Sometimes it’s just the moment.

“I think I proved that if you change my mind [you can get into the team]. Casemiro is the biggest example. He was behind Toby [Collyer] and now he is a starter.”

The change in formation should give the 20-year-old his first Premier League start since the 2-0 loss to West Ham in May, and he’ll need to grab the oppourtunity with both hands.

Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo

CM: Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes has started every Premier League game for United this season and has only been taken off early twice, in the 87th minute against Chelsea and the 85th minute at Liverpool.

He’ll undoubtedly make it 16 starts out of 16 against Bournemouth, and the 4-3-3 formation could give the Portugal international more license to get forward and join the attack.

RW: Amad

Amad is also set to go to the Africa Cup of Nations but there is hope he will be granted permission to feature for United tonight, given that the Ivory Coast do not play their first game until next week.

The 23-year-old has predominantly played as a wing-back under Amorim and has been criticised for his defensive work, leading to reported interest in Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz.

He would struggle against Bourenouth’s Antoine Semenyo, but a switch to a 4-3-3 formation would allow the Ivory Coast international to play in his favoured position and focus on his strengths in the final third.

ST: Matheus Cunha

Sesko is the only natural centre-forward at United but has been out of action for just over a month after picking up a knee injury in the 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

While the Slovenia international returned to first-team training last week, a bout of food poisoning has put his place in the team in doubt.

He may have to settle for a place on the bench against Bournemouth and Amorim will initially use a false nine, with Cunha expected to start over Joshua Zirkzee.

“I feel fine playing as a false nine, exactly, this kind of participation in the build-up and [I] get on the ball more,” the Brazil international said.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are starring for Manchester United

LW: Bryan Mbeumo

Alongside the Ivory Coast, Cameroon also play their first group stage game on Christmas Eve and United are hoping to have Mbeumo available for selection tonight.

The 26-year-old has been United’s standout performer in the opening weeks of the season, registering seven goals and one assist in 16 appearances in all competitions.

He has predominantly played in the right-sided No.10 role in the 3-4-2-1 system, but did play on the opposite flank in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

United don’t have a natural left winger after letting Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho leave the club in the summer but Mbeumo is versatile enough to play there.