Things have only been getting harder for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, who has been on the end of stinging criticism after losing convincingly to Manchester City
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Manchester United Manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim endured another horrible weekend as Manchester United manager
(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is showing no signs of relenting when it comes to the use of his favourite formation.
Manchester City convincingly beat United 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium with United's frailties in the middle of the pitch being picked apart by the Citizens. Pep Guardiola's side flooded the midfield with sky blue shirts and left United's pairing of Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes with no room to breathe.
Amorim, who took over at Old Trafford last November, swiftly introduced the 3-4-3 formation which had previously brought him considerable success at Sporting CP. However, it's become clear several of his United players are struggling to adapt to his requirements.
But the Portuguese boss said United would have to replace him if they wanted to adopt a different style of play. He said: "I understand and accept it is not a record you should have in Manchester United.
"There are a lot of things, you have no idea what happened during these months but I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man."
If one manager was to support the Portuguese boss it would be ex-Chelsea boss and previous managerial target at Old Trafford Antonio Conte. The Italian, who United eventually opted against appointing to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is the only manager to win the Premier League while deploying the 3-4-3 formation.
Conte initially stuck with the 4-2-3-1 formation Chelsea deployed under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, but moved away from their old strategy to impose his philosophy. Results improved instantly as the Blues went on a 13-match winning streak which led them to the Premier League title.
Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea holds the trophy following the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England
Conte also enjoyed using the 3-4-3 formation at Chelsea
While the Blues were enjoying their winning run, Conte - who secured the Serie A crown with Napoli earlier this year – warned against encouraging managers to move away from their own ideas of football. The Italian said: "When you change your system, you lose your identity and it makes it easier for other teams to beat you."
This philosophy has been mirrored by Amorim during his challenging spell, with the former Sporting chief insisting his two-man midfield was not the cause of their downfall.
He clarified after the match: "It's the way you want to see the games. I saw a lot of teams playing here (at the Etihad Stadium) with five midfielders just blocking and they suffer more than us. I see a lot of games from Manchester United playing here with a lot of midfielders."
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on
Ruben Amorim has continued to insist that Man United would have to sack him if they want their style to change
Numerous observers, including ex-United stars, have persisted in voicing their concerns about the system and the squad's failure to execute their manager's vision.
Roy Keane was particularly critical, saying: "You talk about the system – but the manager has come in and is sticking to his guns. He's not budging.
"The results, and we look at points per game, goals for, goals against – it does concern me. It's not good reading."