Ruben Amorim is determined to stick with his signature 3-4-3 formation at Manchester United, despite a string of disappointing results, including one of the most humiliating defeats in the club’s history.
After a disastrous Carabao Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town, the Portuguese manager is under increasing pressure. However, Amorim remains resolute in his belief that the 3-4-3 system can succeed, even as criticism of his tactical approach intensifies.
Amorim’s Confidence in the 3-4-3 Formation
Despite his tough start to life at Manchester United—failing to win any of the first two Premier League matches and the recent Carabao Cup catastrophe—Ruben Amorim has vowed to maintain his tactical setup. The 3-4-3 formation has had limited success in the Premier League, with Antonio Conte being the only manager to win the title with it.
However, Amorim’s approach has been criticized, especially following the Grimsby defeat, where the formation failed to deliver even against a lower-league side.
During a recent press conference, Amorim made it clear that his commitment to the system remains unwavering.
“Before I arrived, they asked me if I could play this system, and I said, ‘I will do my system no matter what,'” he stated. The manager emphasized that changing the formation mid-season would send the wrong message to the players. “It’s not about the system; we lost because we didn’t perform,” he added. “If I’m going to change, it’s not because of failure—it’s because I believe in the change.”
Tactical Flexibility or Stubbornness?
Although Amorim has never used the 3-4-3 formation in his playing career, he explained that it’s not an inflexible setup. In fact, he believes the system can be adapted to different match situations.
“I played all my life in the 4-4-2 and 4-3-3. The only system I didn’t play in was 3-4-3,” Amorim revealed. “But we need to be so good at this style of play that we can adjust it when needed.”
For Amorim, the key is ensuring that his players are fully fluent in the system. He sees the 3-4-3 as a flexible base from which various tactical adjustments can be made. Only when his players are fully comfortable with it does he plan to tweak or adapt his approach.
What’s Next for Amorim and Manchester United?
Despite the mounting pressure, Amorim is not considering stepping down. When questioned about his future after the Grimsby loss, he stated: “I don’t know what will happen, but my idea is to stay in charge.”
However, Amorim stopped short of making any promises about the future. “I am the manager of Manchester United, and I think that won’t change,” he added.
The Portuguese manager’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: he is not ready to abandon his tactical vision just yet. As the Red Devils face an uphill battle to regain form, Amorim’s unwavering belief in the 3-4-3 system could either prove to be his greatest strength or his downfall.
