Every system has its pros and cons and even if this United team were used to playing 3-4-3, there are still problems associated with using that shape.
While having Garnacho and Fernandes playing inside worked in an attacking sense, it meant that Ipswich’s full-backs could get up the pitch very easily and bend with their wingers to give them overloads in wide areas.
The other problem with that formation is that it requires the two midfielders to cover a lot of ground, especially in a league as demanding as the Premier League.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen had their work cut out for them and one could argue that the athleticism required is not their strongest trait. Ipswich played well and made it difficult for them, dragging them everywhere.
To play that role well, United’s midfielders will also need more than just mobility. Both will have to love the defensive side of the game and be able to spot danger and then be quick enough to stop it.
In the long run I think Manuel Ugarte will be one of them. He needs a run of games to regain his sharpness, but we have seen glimpses of how good he is, for example in the Europa League against Fenerbahce last month, and he has flourished before under Amorim at Sporting.
As for who will have Ugarte by his side, well, it will probably be someone who is not at the club at the moment; There will have to be activity in the next few transfer windows for them to get the type of player Amorim needs. .
Until that happens, United will always find it difficult without the ball, but this team will evolve, as will Amorim’s tactics.
As I said in MOTD2, I would be surprised if United are still playing the same 3-4-3 system in a year’s time because the Premier League is very different to continental leagues.
If United are to improve and be competitive for the title, I think Amorim’s formation will evolve into something more but in the meantime, at least their fans have already seen some progress.
Danny Murphy was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
