Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has vowed not to abandon his formation or tactics, insisting he is suffering more than the club’s fans following Sunday’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City.
United have collected only four points from their opening four Premier League matches and were also knocked out of the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby. Since Amorim’s arrival last November, the Red Devils have managed just eight wins in 31 league games, finishing 15th last season.
Asked if he would reconsider his 3-4-3 system, Amorim was defiant. “I understand that and I accept it. It’s not a record that you should have in Manchester United,” he said. “I’m not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the men (players)… I play my way and I’m going to play my way until I want to change.”
Despite heavy investment of £200 million in new forwards, results have yet to improve. United have scored just four league goals this season—two own-goals and one from the penalty spot. Injured Matheus Cunha missed the City game, while £74m signing Benjamin Sesko struggled on his first start.
“My message is that I’m going to give everything. I will do everything, always thinking about what is best for the club,” Amorim said of his future. “Until I’m here, I will do my best. I really want to win games. I’m suffering more than them (the fans).”
The defeat came despite United entering the derby above City in the table for the first time in five years. Pep Guardiola’s side, looking to recover from consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, remain six points behind leaders Liverpool but hope their derby victory can kick-start their season.
“We have to improve,” Guardiola said. “But winning games, especially the derby, you see the faces of our fans, the joy, the happiness after the game—it always helps.”
