Ruben Amorim Leaves Journalists Speechless After Naming Who he Won’t Change Formation For

Ruben Amorim was asked if his much-talked-about 3-4-3 formation was mentioned in his meeting with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – and his answer speaks volumes.

Earlier this week, Ratcliffe held a series of pre-planned meetings at the club’s Carrington training ground, including with Amorim amid their poor start to the 2025/26 campaign.

So far, United have picked up just four points from their opening Premier League games and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town.

A report from The Athletic suggests United’s form was a subject of discussion during the meeting between Amorim and Ratcliffe, who was ‘seeking to work through issues facing Amorim at the club.’

The following day, United’s head coach was speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s clash against Chelsea when a reporter asked if his controversial formation was mentioned in the chat with Ratcliffe.

Amorim pictured at his press conference on September 19. Image credit: Getty

Amorim pictured at his press conference on September 19. Image credit: Getty

Amorim responded by saying not even the Pope could persuade him to change his ways.

“No, no, no,” he replied when asked if the formation was mentioned with Ratcliffe. “No one, not even the Pope will change. This is my job. This is my responsibility. This is my life. So, I will not change that.

“But I will change the system, there will be an evolution, but we need to make all the good steps.

“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 added: “So, everything, when you think about the impact that any decision is going to have on the team, everything is important. So, I will say the same thing: this will have an evolution. I’m doing things my way. Some guys do it in a different way.”

“But it will change,” he insisted. “So, I hope to have the time to change! But it will change.”

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Ruben Amorim says not even the Pope could persuade him to change his controversial formation 🤔❌

Even when the chips are down, Ruben Amorim’s commitment to his system is unwavering.

It was confirmed on Sunday that Manchester United had made their worst start to a Premier League season in 33 years after being outclassed in the Manchester derby, yet Amorim was defiant.

Asked by reporters if United’s run of form merited a change in formation, the Portuguese manager barely hesitated. “I won’t change my philosophy,” he said. “If they [United hierarchy] want it changed, you change the man.”

He wasn’t done there. “I am not going to change my philosophy,” continued Amorim, who has the lowest win percentage of any permanent United manager since World War II. “I will play my way until I want to change.”

It appears patience is running thin, despite recent assurances from the United board that Amorim still has their full support and there are no plans for a managerial change.

A report from The Mirror suggests that he ‘effectively’ has three games to save his job at Old Trafford after taking four points from four Premier League games.

They face Chelsea (H), Brentford (A) and Sunderland (H) in the coming weeks.

“Despite privately insisting they still have faith in Amorim, United’s football leadership team gave the same assurances to Erik ten Hag, before pulling the plug on him nine league games into last season,” the report adds.

Given what has been said over the past few months, a change in formation is unlikely.

But what if Amorim did decide to switch things up from his usual 3-4-3 system? How could United line up against the likes of Brentford and Sunderland, and which players may be given a new lease of life?

To kick things off, a 4-2-3-1 system would help solve their glaringly obvious issues in midfield.

Time after time, Amorim’s side are overloaded centrally, so pushing Bruno Fernandes to his more preferred no.10 role while using Kobbie Mainoo and either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in a midfield two would help steady the ship.

How Man Utd could line up if Ruben Amorim scraps 3-4-3 formation

How Man Utd could line up if Ruben Amorim scraps 3-4-3 formation

Of course, question marks remain over why United failed to sign a defensive midfielder this summer, but helping establish this system before signing someone like Carlos Baleba – a disciplined defensive workhorse who can ball carry – would be a wise call.

For me, moving away from a three-man defence would also be a sensible move given how familiar United’s current players are with a back four, while the forward options speak for themselves.

Do you think Amorim should try another system? Let us know in the comments.