Manchester United are feeling the heat after a bruising derby loss at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester United fall to sobering derby defeat
In a derby match with a lot of importance attached to Ruben Amorim, his side failed to turn up at the Etihad Stadium and fell to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.
Nevertheless, the Portuguese boss made a point in his post-match press conference that he won't change his style regardless of external pressure, claiming that if INEOS want to see a change, they will have to relieve him of his duties.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim talks to the fans after the match
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim talks to the fans after the match
He stated: "I won't change my philosophy. If they [United hierarchy] want it changed, you change the man. I am not going to change my philosophy.
"I will play my way until I want to change. Guys, I understand (the questions) and I accept it is not a record you should have at Man United. But there are a lot of things that you have no idea about what happen in the last months. I understand everything. It is normal [if fans are losing faith], but I don't accept that we are not doing better."
While Lisandro Martinez could return for Manchester United in October is a minor positive, platitudes won't cut it for the majority of the Red Devils' support, who have witnessed only one Premier League victory this season against newly-promoted Burnley.
The Red Devils' underlying numbers have shown small bursts of improvement, but a damaging loss at their city rivals has soured the mood at Old Trafford now that the international break is over.
Results are the be-all and end-all at Manchester United, and if they don't improve, it isn't too obvious to suggest what may come next at the club.
Reflecting on a tough day at the office, Gary Neville has made his feelings clear on what he feels could come next at Old Trafford.
Gary Neville offers blunt Ruben Amorim assessment
Speaking after the match on Sky Sports, Gary Neville admitted that a defeat to Chelsea next week for Manchester United could provoke questions surrounding Amorim's future, and he made it clear that his refusal to change their system is a major cause for concern.
He stated: "I think there will be some pressure applied to the manager and his rigidity of sticking with the system. City have beaten them well and comfortably. United had some good moments in the game – the first 15 minutes and the first five minutes of the second half. City, in big moments, have had better players. Foden, Doku, Haaland have stood out.
"There have been times when I have seen United lose this type of match when I feel angry and frustrated. I just feel nothing, which is even worse. This has been a nothing of a performance. United have just been beaten. With Chelsea next week, another defeat and big questions would start to be asked."
Amorim is set for a tough run of fixtures at Manchester United, with clashes against Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland before a trip to face Liverpool in just over a month.
With inconsistent results continuing to dominate the landscape, there is an evident need for improvement if his side are serious about navigating their way up the Premier League table.