How Man Utd Could Line Up if Ruben Amorim Scraps 3-4-3 Formation

Even when the chips are down, Ruben Amorim's commitment to his system is unwavering.

It was confirmed on Sunday that Manchester United had made their worst start to a Premier League season in 33 years after being outclassed in the Manchester derby, yet Amorim was defiant.

Asked by reporters if United's run of form merited a change in formation, the Portuguese manager barely hesitated. "I won't change my philosophy," he said. "If they [United hierarchy] want it changed, you change the man."

He wasn't done there. "I am not going to change my philosophy," continued Amorim, who has the lowest win percentage of any permanent United manager since World War II. "I will play my way until I want to change."

It appears patience is running thin, despite recent assurances from the United board that Amorim still has their full support and there are no plans for a managerial change.

Amorim is under pressure following United's poor start to the season. Image credit: Getty

A report from The Mirror suggests that he 'effectively' has three games to save his job at Old Trafford after taking four points from four Premier League games.

They face Chelsea (H), Brentford (A) and Sunderland (H) in the coming weeks.

"Despite privately insisting they still have faith in Amorim, United's football leadership team gave the same assurances to Erik ten Hag, before pulling the plug on him nine league games into last season," the report adds.

Given what has been said over the past few months, a change in formation is unlikely.

But what if Amorim did decide to switch things up from his usual 3-4-3 system? How could United line up against the likes of Brentford and Sunderland, and which players may be given a new lease of life?

To kick things off, a 4-2-3-1 system would help solve their glaringly obvious issues in midfield.

Time after time, Amorim's side are overloaded centrally, so pushing Bruno Fernandes to his more preferred no.10 role while using Kobbie Mainoo and either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in a midfield two would help steady the ship.

How Man Utd could line up if Ruben Amorim scraps 3-4-3 formation

Of course, question marks remain over why United failed to sign a defensive midfielder this summer, but helping establish this system before signing someone like Carlos Baleba – a disciplined defensive workhorse who can ball carry – would be a wise call.

For me, moving away from a three-man defence would also be a sensible move given how familiar United's current players are with a back four, while the forward options speak for themselves.

Do you think Amorim should try another system? Let us know in the comments.