Man Utd suffered a shocking defeat to Everton in the Premier League and Ruben Amorim was accused of being stubborn.
Amorim discussed his tactics.(Image: Premier League)
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Ruben Amorim has rejected the idea that he is "fixated" with his tactics at Manchester United, while confirming that he is "willing" to tweak the team's approach to win games. Amorim has steadfastly stood by his 3-4-3 formation since his appointment from Sporting Lisbon, saying that not even the Pope could persuade him to change United's tactical system.
The formation has been contentious, but Amorim was named Premier League manager of the month in October after overseeing wins against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton, which silenced speculation about his future. United have started November with two draws and a defeat to Everton, who claimed three points at Old Trafford, despite playing for 77 minutes with just 10 men due to a sending off.
Amorim was accused of being stubborn against Everton, but he has insisted he is adaptable. DAZN Portugal has launched a new Q&A segment on YouTube, where fans have the opportunity to ask questions to the "biggest Portuguese figures in world football", and Amorim was the first guest.
Amorim was asked whether he would return to he "mobile attacking style" he implemented at Sporting, where there was no fixed striker and the front line would constantly rotate. Although Viktor Gyokeres was the first choice striker during Amorim's time at Sporting, the shape was built around rotations, with Gyokeres asked to drift wide, link play and drop deep.
The 40-year-old said United have already played with a fluid attack this season and, interestingly, said that he was "willing" to try new tactics, despite critics thinking he is "fixated."
Amorim said: "We did it against Liverpool, it wasn't with Bryan Mbeumo, it was with Cunha. And it's an option that we have, and nowadays, everyone, I think not only in the English league but in the Portuguese league, in all leagues, there's a great variation in how things are structured.
"We might say it’s a 4-4-2, but five minutes later it’s a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. And therefore I'm willing to do anything, contrary to what many people think that I'm too fixated on one thing.
"I simply start with a basic foundation, but obviously, we can use it in the future. And we've already thought about that with Bryan [playing central] because he's very strong in transitions.
"I do think it's the best position for him [out wide] because he likes to be hidden, he doesn't like people watching him. He can attack, be more dangerous on one of the flanks, either the right or the left, rather than as a striker, but it's a good option, therefore I'll be able to use it in the future as I did several times at Sporting."
Amorim has regularly insisted his system is not a problem. Speaking earlier this year, he said: "The problem of our team is not the system. We have a lot of problems, we are trying to work on these problems, of course every system needs different characteristics. But I was always really clear. I have one idea.
"I am still really confident because I have an idea how to play football. I will not change that, no matter what. And I’m not talking about the system, it’s the way I see football, I will not change that."
United are currently 10th in the Premier League table, just three points adrift of fourth position.