Has Ruben Amorim learned from Man Utd failure? Inside new AC Milan boss’ mixed start to San Siro life

Sign InSportsHas Ruben Amorim learned from Man Utd failure? Inside new AC Milan boss' mixed start to San Siro lifeBy Stacy Boit · October 30, 2026 · 1 min readSponsored AdRúben Amorim’s arrival as head coach of AC Milan in June marked a high-stakes attempt at career redemption following his departure from Manchester United.

Tasked with modernizing the Rossoneri and steering them back toward major silverware, the Portuguese manager brought high-intensity tactical concepts to the San Siro.

His early months in Serie A have produced a mixed start defined by encouraging tactical evolution alongside lingering structural vulnerabilities.

A central issue during Amorim’s tenure in England was his strict insistence on a 3-4-2-1 formation regardless of squad personnel or opponent setup.

At AC Milan, he has displayed greater tactical pragmaticism, frequently deploying four-at-the-back systems like a fluid 4-4-2 to better leverage wingers and attacking midfielders.

While this adaptability has yielded emphatic performances—such as a 4-0 away victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League—defensive instability remains a recurring problem.

Inconsistent domestic outings, highlighted by a heavy 4-2 home defeat to Bologna, demonstrate that the transition to his high-risk pressing style remains a work in progress.

The locker room dynamic appears stable, with core figures adapting to his intense training regime, though physical drop-offs in the second half of demanding matches continue to cost points.

Whether Amorim’s San Siro chapter becomes a successful turnaround or another caution on tactical dogmatism will depend on his ability to blend his preferred pressing intensity with the defensive pragmatism traditional to Italian football.