Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stood firm on his commitment to the 3-4-3 formation, despite mounting pressure following a dismal 2025 season that saw the club finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table. The tipping point came on September 14, when United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad — a result that intensified scrutiny over Amorim’s tactical approach and leadership.
In a defiant post-match press conference, Amorim dismissed calls to abandon his preferred system, stating, “I won’t change my philosophy. If they [the club] want it changed, they must change the man.” He attributed United’s poor form not to tactical flaws, but to what he described as a lack of mental resilience and commitment from the players. “I didn’t see one player not giving their maximum,” he added, “but the disappointment is that sometimes we could run more. Still, it’s my fault, not theirs”.
Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024, Amorim has overseen just 8 wins in 31 Premier League matches, with United scoring only four goals this season — two of which were own goals and one from the penalty spot. Despite a £200 million investment in the squad, including high-profile signings like Benjamin Šeško, the team has failed to gel under Amorim’s rigid tactical setup.
The club’s hierarchy, including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has so far maintained public support for Amorim, emphasizing long-term vision and structural rebuilding. However, fans and pundits are growing increasingly restless. Former captain Roy Keane questioned whether the players truly believe in the system, while pundits like Theo Walcott and Robbie Savage have criticized the formation’s impact on player roles and match outcomes.
Analysts argue that the 3-4-3 system leaves United vulnerable in midfield and forces key players like Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw into unfamiliar positions. Calls for a switch to a more conventional 4-3-3 have intensified, especially as rival managers have begun exploiting United’s tactical weaknesses.
Amorim, however, remains unmoved. “We are building things,” he said. “We play against coaches who’ve won multiple titles. I understand the frustration, but I’m suffering more than the fans. I will give everything until I’m no longer here”.
With upcoming fixtures against Chelsea and Aston Villa, the pressure is mounting. Whether Amorim’s philosophy will be vindicated or replaced remains one of the biggest questions hanging over Old Trafford, and the answer may come sooner than expected.
