Manchester United drew 4-4 at home to Bournemouth on Monday night with Ruben Amorim’s formation change one of the talking points from a thrilling game at Old Trafford
Manchester United have reportedly launched an inquiry into how Ruben Amorim’s plans to tweak his system leaked out on the day of the Bournemouth game. United’s head coach has favoured a three-man defence since his move from Sporting to Old Trafford in November 2024.
However, he made a slight adjustment during Monday night’s 4-4 draw at home to the Cherries, with Diogo Dalot moving from his usual wing-back position on the left to a traditional full-back role in a four-man defence.
Nevertheless, word of this change was leaked on Monday afternoon, reportedly causing concern at United that Bournemouth may have been given advance notice of their strategy on the day of the match.
The Mail now claim that United are committed to identifying the source of the leak to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. A club spokesperson declined to comment.
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A concerned Amorim was asked about the change post-match on Monday and chose to turn the question back onto the media.
He said: “That is for you to discuss, not for me. I know that you guys know that I trained this week with a back four. I don’t know how, but that is a good thing for you guys to discuss this week.”
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Monday’s incident is not the first involving leaks at the club under Amorim, with United said to have been ‘furious’ in September over reports that Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes is ‘unhappy’. United’s team selection was also leaked well ahead of the Manchester derby in December 2024.
Several other stories were leaked last season, including those over squad issues and team news, with United’s hierarchy taking steps to identify the mole in the camp. Other managerial tenures at M16, under Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Jose Mourinho, were also plagued by leaks.
United started well against Andoni Iraola’s team on Monday, with Amad deservedly putting Amorim’s men a goal ahead in the first half before they were pegged back by Antoine Semenyo’s equaliser.
Casemiro nodded United back in front on the stroke of half-time from a corner, before a quick-fire double at the start of the second half gave Bournemouth the lead. Fernandes then equalised with a stunning free-kick before Matheus Cunha put the Red Devils ahead again.
But again, United could not hang on to their lead with Eli Junior Kroupi pulling the Cherries level once more. The hosts have now moved up to sixth in the top-flight table, with Bournemouth nudging themselves up to 13th.
“If you understand a little bit,” Amorim said post-match. “If you follow the club like I follow the Premier League for so long, you [know you] have not just the duty to try to win the games. The way you try to win the games is so important for the fans.
“Of course they are desperate to win, but also, I feel that they are desperate to be inspired when they come to Old Trafford. Today was inspiring, I think, also because of Bournemouth. But in the end that’s the feeling of frustration of not winning the game.”
