Ruben Amorim suffered another embarrassing low as Manchester United head coach after losing to League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round.
It has been a slow start to the 2025/26 season for Manchester United, after failing to win one of their first three matches.
The Red Devils have consistently found it difficult to turn Ruben Amorim’s game plan into success on the pitch.
Despite spending over £200 million on new signings in the summer transfer market, United have yet to show any real signs of improvement.
United fans will hope Amorim’s side can record their first win of the season against Burnley at Old Trafford this evening.
Ruben Amorim watches Manchester United face Grimsby Town.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Gordon Hill advises Ruben Amorim to switch to a 4-4-2 system
Since becoming United’s head coach, Amorim has been trying to implement his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
The results will tell you that it hasn’t worked yet, with the latest defeat against Grimsby Town raising more questions than answers about Amorim’s system.
Former United winger Gordon Hill has advised Amorim to switch his formation to a 4-4-2 to help the current side score more goals.
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“My advice to Amorim now,” Hill started. “And I tell you, mate, go back to a 4-4-2, let them go out and put one order on them. Go and score goals.
“You got out there, you score goals. I don’t care how you create them. I want goals.
“I want the ball in the back of their net. Give them a little bit more freedom. Don’t restrict the players that can play in positions to players who can’t play in those positions.
“Stop trying to satisfy every Tom, Dick and Harry in that squad. Your job is to get a result. You pick players to give you results. If they play well, they get a game next week. If they play well, they get a game the week after.
“Those players sitting on the bench have got to say to themselves, when I get on that field, that position is mine. That’s what I feel and see that is missing.”
What has Amorim said about changing his system?
United have played with a back three since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag.
Speaking to reporters at his press conference on Friday, Amorim was asked about his system before reiterating that the 3-4-2-1 system United plays is not to blame for their struggles.
Amorim stressed he would only be willing to change formations once the players have mastered the current one, which is a hint that there won’t be changes anytime soon.
“Guys, if I feel that it’s best to change… I played all my life in the 4-4-2, 4-3-3. The only system that I didn’t play one minute: 3-4-3,” Amorim said. “I just have one idea that we need to be so good in this way of playing, then we are going to adapt.
“It’s like some coaches have a mentality that I’m going to put this system, and then I’m going to change. What I’m thinking is that we have one system that is going to adapt to different systems, and then when everyone is doing this with his eyes shut, I’m going to change a lot of things.
“You cannot tell me that we are always with five defenders. You cannot tell me that we are always with four defenders. You cannot tell me that we are always with three defenders. I’m just trying to coach my players with the idea that I have.
“And I said that many times, this is the fun part. If it’s just to win the game or to play in the 4-3-3, I was not here. They asked me before I arrived here, can you play this system? I will say, I will do my system no matter what. If it’s okay for you, it’s okay.
“And then in the future, I could change. I could wake up in one morning and say, I understand that for my idea of football, it’s better to change right away.
“I just want to win. But if I’m going to change because something is not working and I don’t believe, players will understand. This guy is telling you one thing, he’s not believing in the other thing.
“So it’s not about the system. We lost against Grimsby about the system? In the first half, I didn’t know the system of the team!
“So, guys, it’s not the system.”