Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has suggested he is “willing to do anything” to adapt his tactics, despite long-standing criticism over his insistence on the 3-4-3 formation.
The Portuguese coach came under heavy scrutiny again following United’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to 10-man Everton, where he stuck rigidly to his preferred system and made only like-for-like substitutions. The loss means Amorim has now recorded just 12 wins in 39 Premier League matches since joining the club last November.
Amorim has long defended his approach, even famously saying after United’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City that “not even the Pope” could convince him to abandon his structure. But in a recent appearance on DAZN Portugal, the 40-year-old insisted he is more flexible than fans and analysts believe.
According to him, modern football demands fluidity, with teams often shifting between shapes in-game. He highlighted that even within his system, United have variations similar to the ones he used during his title-winning spell at Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim explained that players like Bryan Mbeumo could be moved centrally when needed, though he still believes Mbeumo is most dangerous when operating from wide areas. He maintained that his philosophy is built on a clear idea of football rather than a fixed formation.
Failure to Break Down Everton Raises Questions
United’s performance against Everton reignited debate about Amorim’s reluctance to adapt. Despite playing against ten men for over 80 minutes, United remained passive in possession and struggled to break down David Moyes’ well-organised low block.
Statistics reveal a worrying pattern:
When United have 50% or more possession, they have lost 15 of 24 matches, winning just five.
When they have less than half the ball, the team has suffered only three defeats in 15 games.
Against Everton, Amorim persisted with three centre-backs—Matthijs De Ligt, Luke Shaw, and Leny Yoro—even though Everton were defending deep with a single isolated forward who is yet to score in the league. With full-backs Dorgu and Mazraoui offering limited creativity, United effectively operated with a back five to little effect.
Wayward crosses and predictable patterns played into Everton’s hands, leaving fans frustrated and questioning Amorim’s in-game management.
A Possible Turning Point?
Although Amorim insists he will not abandon his core philosophy, his recent comments hint at openness to subtle tweaks or even significant changes when necessary. With pressure mounting and Champions League qualification at stake, many will be watching closely to see whether his actions on the pitch reflect this new willingness to adapt.