Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim remains resolute in his tactical approach, despite mounting pressure
In a bold and unwavering declaration, Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has stated that not even the Pope could persuade him to change his preferred 3-4-3 formation. This assertion comes amid mounting pressure following the club’s disappointing start to the Premier League season, their worst in 33 years.
Amorim’s commitment to his tactical system has been a point of contention among fans and pundits alike. Despite securing only four points from the opening four league matches and suffering an early Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, the Portuguese coach remains steadfast. When questioned about whether co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had suggested altering his approach, Amorim responded emphatically, “No, no, no. Not once [have I thought about changing]. Not even the Pope [can make me], it will not change.”
The 40-year-old manager emphasized the importance of consistency in leadership, stating that changing tactics under pressure would undermine his authority and the team’s trust in his decisions. “If I’m a player and I have a coach that, with a lot of pressure, it doesn’t matter if he’s all around the world, is saying: ‘you need to change the system.’ And I’m going to change. In this moment, they will look at me in a different way,” Amorim explained.
While Amorim remains committed to his tactical philosophy, he acknowledged the need for evolution over time. “There will be an evolution, but we need to make all the good steps,” he noted, indicating that adjustments may come gradually as the team develops and adapts.
Despite the early-season struggles, Amorim pointed to areas of improvement compared to the previous campaign, where United finished 15th in the league. He highlighted statistics such as a higher number of shots and increased box entries as evidence of progress. However, he also recognized the team’s shortcomings in converting chances and stressed the need for greater clinical finishing.
The manager also addressed concerns regarding the team’s defensive solidity, particularly in the wake of the 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City. Amorim attributed some of the issues to “naivety” and a lack of aggression, rather than flaws in the tactical setup. He called for more physicality and mental toughness from his players to better support forward Benjamin Šeško, who has yet to find the back of the net.
In terms of squad changes, Amorim confirmed the return of Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount from injury for the upcoming match against Chelsea. However, he downplayed the significance of Alejandro Garnacho’s recent transfer to Chelsea, stating, “I just want to win games. I don’t care who is playing for the opponent, what people are going to say in the end, if the other player is going to play well.”
As United prepare to face Chelsea at Old Trafford, Amorim’s steadfastness will be put to the test. The match presents an opportunity for the team to demonstrate improvement and for the manager to validate his tactical approach. Whether his unwavering commitment will lead to success or further scrutiny remains to be seen.