Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim dismissed criticism of his 3-4-2-1 system, insisting “not even the Pope” could persuade him to change despite pressure after a poor run of results.
Ruben Amorim says not even the Pope could persuade him to change his controversial formation 🤔❌ pic.twitter.com/IEF67xfaHe
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 19, 2025
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has vowed to stick with his controversial 3-4-2-1 formation despite mounting pressure after a poor run of results.
Following last weekend’s derby defeat to Manchester City and a midweek visit from minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Amorim insisted he would not bow to outside influence. “No, no, no. No one. Not even the Pope will change… This is my job. This is my responsibility. This is my life,” he told reporters.
United have managed just one Premier League win in four games and suffered an EFL Cup exit to League Two Grimsby. Amorim said changing formation under pressure would damage his authority with players. “If I’m a player and I have a coach that… says ‘I’m going to change,’ they will look at me in a different way.”
With Chelsea, Brentford, and Sunderland up next, Amorim admitted he needs results but stressed his system would only evolve over time.