Amorim: It's hard to compare United and Palace

The Emirates FA Cup holders have, since Oliver Glasner was appointed manager in February 2024, primarily lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation - like United under Amorim.

Palace have emerged as one of the Premier League’s most impressive sides, sitting fifth in the table despite having to balance extra games in Europe.

But the Eagles – who go into Sunday’s midday kick-off on the back of a 2-1 reverse at Strasbourg on Thursday – are not operating in the same context as us, said the boss, and their blueprint cannot just be copied.

“We play in a different way and you can understand that by data. Right now, it’s hard to explain everything, but like you said they are a different club and they are doing things better than us, so that is quite simple,” Amorim replied, when asked if he draws inspiration and encouragement from the Londoners.

“You don’t say that all [teams who play in a] 4-3-3 play in the same way, right? We play in a different moment, we defend in a different space, we try to attack in a different way.

“They are just doing the things better than us.”

Ruben elaborated on these variations when the physical statistics of the two ever-present Palace wing-backs, Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz, were raised.

“I don’t know how you read that data, maybe they play more games, more minutes, so you cannot compare the data,” he added.

“We make a lot of substitutions, sometimes we change because we know it is a different position or you want to change the feet with [Diogo] Dalot and Patrick [Chinazaekpere Dorgu] and we change a lot.

“Sometimes we start with Amad in front but most of the times if we need to win the game I put Amad on the right. Amad changes position all the time so that can change all the data and you see different things.

“Again, they are doing really well and they play more in transition than us. The opponents [of Palace] see it in a different way. All these things we have to look at when we compare different teams, but in all these things we can do so much better.

“We need time to improve the characteristics of the team, I said that in the last year,” he continued.

“To give an example, the last game [against Everton] we should have an Amad with a right foot to put on the other side to play against 10 men.

“It’s these kind of characteristics that, in the meantime, we’ll try to get to, to be a better team. Are we the perfect set-up to play in this way?

“Not yet, but like any other team we need time to put the right characteristics in every single position to be prepared for it.”

This will be Ruben’s first trip to Selhurst Park since his appointment last November, with Palace victorious in the Old Trafford meeting back in February.

Amorim has also come up against Glasner with his previous club, and respects the work of the 51-year-old.

“I played against him in Frankfurt with Sporting so I know the play. I take inspiration from everyone.

“When I have two weeks for national teams I watch all the managers and try to take all the inspiration I can take.

“I have six years as a manager, so I’m always trying to learn to improve my team.”