Ruben Amorim Sticks to Back-Three Formation

Ruben Amorim defends tactical approach

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim stands firm on his tactical approach, saying 'not even the pope will change' his system.

“I'm just trying to balance the team and imagine the game, and I see Bruno well...”

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim remains resolute in his tactical approach, insisting that not even the Pope could persuade him to abandon his preferred back-three formation. Despite intense scrutiny following the team's underwhelming performance, Amorim believes altering his system would erode his players' confidence in him. He emphasizes that his job and responsibility dictate his decisions, and he won't change his approach simply due to external pressure.

Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been marked by mixed results, with the team securing just seven wins in 27 league matches since his appointment in November. This led to their worst-ever finish in the Premier League. The Portuguese manager's persistence with the 3-4-3 formation has drawn criticism, particularly after a humiliating 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Amorim's justification for sticking to his tactics lies in his conviction that changing the system under pressure would undermine his authority with the players.

Amorim's conversation with the media revealed his confidence in his approach, stating that he hopes to evolve his system over time but won't be swayed by external opinions. United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's visit to the training ground has sparked speculation about Amorim's future, but the manager remains focused on balancing the team and imagining the game his way.

Manchester United's season start has been underwhelming, with their Portuguese manager securing only one win in four Premier League matches, alongside a surprising League Cup loss to Grimsby, a team from the fourth tier. This lackluster performance comes as the manager continues to employ a three-center-back formation.

In contrast, most of the “Big Six” teams have favored a traditional four-man defense. Manchester United's choice to use three center backs has raised eyebrows, especially given their inconsistent results. The team's current standing reflects their struggles, sitting at 14th place with four points from four games.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim remains resolute in his tactical approach, dismissing any potential influence from even the highest authority. “No, no, no... Not even the pope will change (this). This is my job. This is my responsibility. This is my life. So, I will not change that,” Amorim declared emphatically. This unwavering stance comes amid scrutiny over his preferred back-three formation, which has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike.

🚨 Rúben Amorim: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe ask to change the system? No, no, no. Not once. Not even the Pope can do it!”.

“This is my job, my responsibility, this is my life”.

“The system will have an evolution and I am doing things my way. I hope I will have the time to change”. pic.twitter.com/gUTMJlQeFk

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 20, 2025

Amorim's conviction stems from his concern that altering his tactics under pressure would undermine his authority with the players. “If I'm a player and I have a coach that, with a lot of pressure and (people) all around the world are saying, 'You need to change the system', and he says 'I'm going to change,' they will look at me in a different way,” he explained. Amorim is adamant that he will stick to his system, allowing for evolution over time, but not in response to external criticism.

“If I'm a player and I have a coach that, with a lot of pressure and (people) all around the world are saying, 'You need to change the system', says 'I'm going to change', they will look at me in a different way.

“Everything is important when you think about the impact that a decision is going to have on the team. I'm doing things my way. I hope to have the time to change, but it will be an evolution.”

Ruben Amorim has faced criticism for deploying Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role, a departure from the attacking position where the Portuguese international has previously excelled. Amorim explained his reasoning, saying, “I want Bruno to have more possession to try to control the game.” This tactical shift aims to utilize Fernandes' skills in a different way, focusing on controlling possession and dictating the game's tempo.

The decision to play Fernandes in a deeper role has sparked debate, with some questioning whether it limits his creative potential. However, Amorim's intention is clear: he wants Fernandes to dominate possession and influence the game's flow. By doing so, Amorim hopes to create a more controlled and structured approach, leveraging Fernandes' skills to dictate the pace of the match.

“Maybe he doesn't have the same freedom to get inside the box but he is getting there and he can do his shots. Sometimes we miss Bruno in front a little bit, but if (Matheus) Cunha is there we have an extra player.

“I'm just trying to balance the team and imagine the game, and I see Bruno well. He's frustrated because he is not winning and sometimes he likes to go further. But he has a job to do.”

Current Season Standings:

Premier League Table: 14th place

Matches Played: 4

Wins: 1

Losses: 2

Draws: 1

Points: 4