Rúben Amorim Build-Up Tactics At Manchester United 2025/2026: Inverted Centre-Back Role Explained – Tactical Analysis

Inverting the central centre-back (CCB) under Rúben Amorim has become a major talking point for Manchester United.

Many questions have been asked about why the Portuguese tactician takes this approach and its pros and cons.

Our Rúben Amorim tactical analysis and back-five tactical theory article analyses Rúben Amorim tactics, comparing Amorims side with two of the best back-five teams of the last decade: Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan.

Those two sides engaged in the build-up differently than Amorim.

We will compare and contrast all approaches in order to explain Amorims rationale.

Why Does Rúben Amorim Invert The CCB?

First and foremost, inverting the CCB in the back five creates a bounce-pass option for the goalkeeper and manipulates the opponent’s first line of pressure.

This allows the #8 to advance into a #10 role and puts more bodies higher up to contest second balls and attack from those zones.

In theory, this can make sense on a tactics board.

However,