Manchester United’s poor start to the season has increased the pressure on Ruben Amorim.
There is no way to sugarcoat that Manchester United have four points from as many games this season. To make matters worse, Ruben Amorim’s side have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, after losing to League Two side Grimsby Town in the second round.
It’s the poorest start to a league campaign since 1992/93, and Amorim has been questioned about his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, which we can only assume got the green light from Ineos before he was appointed United head coach.
Despite the growing external unease around Amorim, not helped by the derby defeat, questions should be asked of two United chiefs responsible for making the big decisions at Old Trafford.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada partly responsible for Ruben Amorim struggles
Before Erik ten Hag’s dismissal at United, Ineos reportedly met with multiple managers for discussions, including Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel later became England manager, and Amorim was seen as the best available option when it came to replacing Ten Hag.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox played key roles in Amorim’s appointment, so it’s only right that they both come under the spotlight since things aren’t going quite to plan.
The biggest topic of conversation concerning Amorim this season has been his unwillingness to change his system. With every bad result, more questions surface about his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
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Amorim has stressed that he is not going to change, regardless of poor results, so United fans are beginning to fear he is doomed to fail.
The former Sporting CP coach has started with a back three in 189 consecutive league games since his appointment in Lisbon in 2020.
Many of the issues in the team stem from midfield, where Amorim is now using Bruno Fernandes as part of his two. The Portugal international is best suited to the number 10 role, despite being shoehorned into a deeper role in midfield. His defensive deficiencies are punished routinely.
There is a stark contrast to reports when Ten Hag wasn’t getting results in charge because his influence on tactics was hailed in many reports before United beat Man City in the FA Cup final.
Back in May 2024, Wilcox was praised for influencing the formation, shape, tactics and game plan.
Those reports have since gone quiet.
Wilcox and Berrada clearly got their plan in Amorim, but only time will tell if he’s got the solutions to United’s problems on the pitch.
Five crucial games for Man Utd
It is understood that the United board is still firmly behind Amorim.
The next five matches are crucial for United’s chances of competing for a European spot because they will rule themselves out by dropping points every week in the league.
Amorim’s side hosts Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday, a few weeks before they face Liverpool at Anfield.