The 343 greatly utilized by Amorim in my view might be costing us financial points.

It didn’t get us anywhere last season, and I think he wants to use this formation to be seen as a genius if he wins the league with it, just like Conte did with Chelsea FC.

But there’s a huge difference—Conte had prime Hazard, Costa, Matic, Fabregas, and Kante to execute his plan. Amorim doesn’t have that balance at United, and forcing the 343 has exposed our weaknesses rather than hiding them.

When you don’t win games, you don’t move up higher to positions that have high price tags. i.e., the winner of the English Premier League takes home the highest moneybag.

Dropping points because of tactical stubbornness isn’t just painful for fans, it’s financially crippling. Clubs like United run on reputation, trophies, and prize money.

If you can’t finish top four, the revenue stream shrinks. Amorim’s 343 has looked more like an experiment than a solution.

That is why I favor a 4-3-2-1 formation (Christmas Tree). It’s solid, compact, and reduces the defensive exposure that we see week in, week out with the 343.

Opponents know exactly how to exploit our wing-backs, and whenever they are caught high up the pitch, our defense becomes shaky.

A back four gives stability, ensures midfield control, and gives our attackers proper service instead of chasing scraps.

My Proposed XI in the 4-3-2-1 (Christmas Tree)

GK – Lammens
RB – Mazraoui
LB – Dorgu
CBL – Martinez
CBR – Yoro
DM – Mainoo
LM – Fernandez
RM – Diallo
RW – Mbeumo
LW – Cunha
CF – Sesko

He needs to experiment with other football formations too, especially with the back four (4) defenders. You cannot keep running one rigid system and expect results in the Premier League.

Managers like Guardiola, Klopp, even Ancelotti, tweak their setups depending on opponents. Amorim’s 343 looks more like pride than pragmatism.

Watched the match against Grimsby Town and I can say “O nah nah” is the villain costing us financial points.

Goalkeeper (1)

We used to have David De Gea as our number one goalkeeper. He was everything any Manchester United fan would want for the club. Due to a failed contract renewal he left and we are stuck with a confusionist (Onana) and a rookie (Bayindir).

As a goalkeeper, you need to know when to use your hands and when to use your legs, something that both Onana and Bayindir lack. It’s not just about shot-stopping but also about calming the defense.

De Gea, despite his flaws with the ball at his feet, saved us countless points. Amorim’s 343 already exposes our defenders; combining that with a shaky goalkeeper is a recipe for disaster.

Someone (David De Gea) that stayed for 12 years should be considered family. If he wanted a salary increase, it shouldn’t have been a problem at all. Sold him and bought “O nah nah.” Hopefully two fingers crossed, “Lammens” is here to save the day just like Superman.

Right Back (2)

Mazraoui is a semi Trent Arnold, but he’s better at dribbling. Knows how to cross the ball and should help out Benjamin Sesko. With a 343, wing-backs are stretched too thin between defending and attacking, and Mazraoui ends up gassed. In a back four, he can focus on defensive duties and pick his moments going forward, making his output more effective.

Left Back (3)

Dorgu should learn how to cross the ball often just like Robertson. He’s not a proper goal scorer, thus wasting chances is inevitable. Sesko is a goal scorer that needs his services also. In a 343, he’s often stranded too high up the pitch with no cover. In a back four, he gets balance—solid defensively and dangerous offensively.

Center Back Left (5)

My favorite Manchester United player because anytime he’s in the starting lineup, we hardly concede any goal. A proper central defender, but lacks only height. In a 343, he’s forced to cover wide spaces left by wing-backs, which makes his job harder. With a back four, he stays central, commands the line, and ensures compactness.

Center Back Right (6)

Yoro, the fineboy Rio Ferdinand with the workaholic attitude. Never afraid to put in the work, especially if it depends on his life like he did against Olympique Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final second leg. With him in a proper back four, you have discipline and balance. In a 343, he’s dragged too far wide, which wastes his strengths.

DM – Mainoo (4)

His calmness makes him a perfect fit for position 4. He’s the maturing Ngolo Kante. Being English, talented, and young makes him a number 1 first eleven player. Don’t know why he’s being fielded only when lesser league games come up. A 343 midfield leaves players like Mainoo exposed, often marking two players at once. In a 4-3-2-1, he gets protection, has more passing outlets, and can dictate tempo better.

LM – Fernandez (8)

My Captain El Magnifico. The Portuguese commander-in-chief of the United forces. He makes the first eleven any day, anytime. He sees opportunity passes where none exist, just like bloody Kevin De Bruyne. But in a 343, he’s forced deeper, limiting his creativity. In the Christmas Tree system, he sits in pockets where he thrives—dictating and creating.

RM – Diallo (7)

Sweet fanta Diallo should learn how to pass/cross the ball often to Benjamin Sesko. Don’t be all Antony with the cutting in and whipping a fine curl at the top right or bottom. In a 343, wingers are sacrificed for wing-backs, which kills players like Diallo. In a 4-3-2-1, he can operate closer to Sesko, link play, and provide consistent service.

RW – Mbeumo (11)

Nigga a true baller who knows his craft, and a master at crossing. Real and talented dribbler with burning fury for goal. No doubt, Sesko would be needing his services too. In the 343, his creativity is suffocated. In the Christmas Tree, he gets proper width and freedom.

LW – Cunha (10)

Samba boy should know when to pass the ball and do better with positioning and direction firepower. Again, a 343 doesn’t suit him; he’s either too isolated or forced into defensive tracking. In a 4-3-2-1, he gets natural width and the ability to cut in to support Sesko.

CF – Sesko (9)

The football Sensei (Master Shifu), with the long legs. He should get his shit together and be confident in front of goal. Should anticipate them crosses by positioning himself better. Almost scored against Grimsby with that semi-accurate header. In the 343, Sesko looks stranded. In the Christmas Tree, he becomes the focal point with two wide men feeding him crosses.

Conclusion

Amorim’s 343 might look good on paper, but it’s costing us games, confidence, and money.

It’s a tactical gamble that has already failed once, and continuing to use it feels like stubborn pride.

United doesn’t need experiments; we need results. The 4-3-2-1 provides structure, balance, defensive solidity, and attacking width.

It gives every player clarity in their role and allows our creative players to flourish.

If Amorim wants to truly succeed at Manchester United, he has to drop the obsession with 343 and embrace a system that fits the squad’s strength.

The Christmas Tree is that system.