Rúben Amorim has had a disastrous tenure as Manchester United manager, and there were already hints of a potential downfall just one month after he took over.
After the sacking of Erik ten Hag in October last year, Rúben Amorim was the one trusted by Ineos to usher in a new era at Old Trafford after enjoying great success at Sporting Lisbon.
When he took over, he mentioned that a storm would come, but not even he could have predicted the situation that United find themselves in, as a possible sacking could be on the horizon.
In the 33 Premier League games that the Portuguese coach has overseen, the team have taken an extremely disappointing 34 points. Despite enjoying some success in the Europa League, their run ended with a defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the competition.
Having spent around £214 million in the summer transfer window, progress should have been expected, but inconsistency is still an issue that plagues the side, with Amorim still looking to win back-to-back league games.
United currently sit in 14th place after six games so far this season, with the side’s two wins so far coming thanks to a stoppage-time penalty against Burnley and an early red card for Chelsea.
Amorim’s tactical stubbornness is nothing new
Amorim maintains his claim that the system is not the issue, and while it’s true that United have made far too many mistakes that the Portuguese manager has no control over, he must also shoulder some blame.
His 3-4-2-1 system, which shifts to a two-man midfield when out of position, is almost always at a significant disadvantage, with the opposition being able to win the midfield battle far too easily as they overload the middle of the park.
While his decision not to change his tactics during games has been more widely reported in the media due to his side’s struggles so far, this mentality is nothing new.
Just one month after he took over at United, following four straight defeats, Amorim insisted that his system would work with time and that he would not deviate from his tactical philosophy.
As reported by club media back in December 2024, he said, “Like I said, you cannot go back. We have to continue to push. Remember, we had like four training sessions all together. So that is important.
“I know what you guys are trying to reach [for, with your questions], but it is really clear. I was here because of my idea, and I will continue to do my idea until the end.”
Amorim responsible for his own downfall
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, former England strikers Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker reflected on United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford, as well as the broader problem that Amorim’s stubbornness in his tactics creates.
Lineker said: “I mean, just one long ball over the top and they’re in desperate trouble. They’re not coming to grips with that system. It seems to me they still don’t have the players, or they’ve not really brought in the players that fit in that system. He keeps saying he’s not going to change.
“Brentford knew exactly how to play against them because I’ve voiced my concerns for United before on this, that if you play a certain way and you’re never prepared to change and you actually tell everybody you’re not going to change it so everybody knows how you’re going to play, well, it’s easy to plan to play against them, isn’t it? And Brentford had their plan, didn’t they?”
Shearer responded, “Brentford, without doubt, had their plan, yeah. I mean, he was out-schooled by Keith Andrews, and what Brentford did, [they] did really well, and it worked.
“I mean, that will be his downfall. It really will be his downfall, unfortunately, for him, because he’s not going to budge. He’s right, everyone else is wrong, I guess.”
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