Ruben Amorim has come under pressure to change his 3-4-2-1 formation at Manchester United, with the Red Devils going from bad to worse under his reign
13:51, 30 Aug 2025Updated 13:54, 30 Aug 2025
Ruben Amorim was grilled by the press over his failing tactics at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim was grilled by the press over his failing tactics at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has once again insisted that Manchester United's 3-4-2-1 system isn't responsible for their poor form and suggested he would only consider switching formations after the players have fully grasped the current setup.
United have managed just eight victories from 34 domestic fixtures under Amorim's stewardship, with the League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town marking a fresh low point in the Portuguese manager's 10-month tenure and his comments afterwards sparking speculation he could quit his job or even be sacked.
Following questions about his tactical approach after the crushing 12-11 penalty shootout loss at Blundell Park, Amorim stood firm on his philosophy. During his pre-match press briefing ahead of Burnley's visit, Amorim disclosed that United's football hierarchy had enquired whether he might switch to a back four.
The Portuguese boss explained that throughout his playing days with Belenenses, Benfica, Braga and Al Wakrah, he exclusively operated in back-four systems, with a back three being the sole formation he never experienced, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Amorim said: "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. I just have one idea that we need to be so good in this way of playing, then we are going to adapt.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim's tactics have been questioned(Image: Getty)
"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.
Article continues below
"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."