Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said not even the pope could make him deviate from playing with a back three despite mounting pressure following a dismal run, adding that abandoning his preferred formation would undermine him in his players’ eyes.

Amorim took charge of United in November but guided them to just seven wins in 27 league matches and their worst-ever finish in the Premier League.

This season’s start has also been far from convincing, with the Portuguese manager overseeing one win in four Premier League games and a shock League Cup exit to League Two (fourth-tier) side Grimsby.

He has used three centre backs throughout his tenure at United, despite the rest of the “Big Six” all opting to play a back four.

United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe visited the club’s training ground on Thursday, and Amorim was later asked if the British billionaire had suggested altering the team’s set-up.

“No, no, no… Not even the pope will change (this). This is my job. This is my responsibility. This is my life. So, I will not change that,” Amorim told reporters on Friday ahead of United’s home meeting with Chelsea.

“If I’m a player and I have a coach that, with a lot of pressure and (people) all around the world are saying, ‘You need to change the system’, says ‘I’m going to change’, they will look at me in a different way.

“Everything is important when you think about the impact that a decision is going to have on the team. I’m doing things my way. I hope to have the time to change, but it will be an evolution.”

Amorim has also received criticism for his decision to play Bruno Fernandes in a deeper midfield role, despite the Portuguese international having previously been successful in a more attacking position.

“I want Bruno to have more possession to try to control the game,” Amorim said.

“Maybe he doesn’t have the same freedom to get inside the box but he is getting there and he can do his shots. Sometimes we miss Bruno in front a little bit, but if (Matheus) Cunha is there we have an extra player.

“I’m just trying to balance the team and imagine the game, and I see Bruno well. He’s frustrated because he is not winning and sometimes he likes to go further. But he has a job to do.”

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Manchester United (MANU.N), opens new tab reported an annual net loss for the sixth consecutive year on Wednesday and forecast lower revenue for this fiscal year, highlighting the football club’s ongoing financial struggles.

The Premier League side posted a 33 million-pound ($45 million) loss for the year ended June 30, an improvement on the previous year’s 113.2 million-pound deficit.

The narrower full-year loss reflects significant cost-cutting measures aimed at shoring up finances after several years of underperformance both on and off the field.

The club said it expects revenue of between 640 million pounds and 660 million pounds for its fiscal 2026, compared with 666.5 million pounds reported for the year ended June 30.

Manchester United’s New York-listed shares were down 3.8% at $15.79 in premarket trading.

The Premier League has in recent years tightened club spending regulations under its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), designed to level the playing field and curb excessive spending by wealthy owners.

Manchester United has racked up losses of about 175 million pounds since fiscal 2023.

The PSR caps losses at 105 million pounds over a three-year period, though investments in infrastructure, academies, charity and women’s soccer are permitted as deductions.

The club said it was in compliance with the PSR and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulations.

Chart shows Manchester United extends losing streak to six years with latest financial results.

Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, who holds roughly 29% of the club and oversees football operations, has rolled out cost-saving measures, including staff reductions, higher ticket prices and the scrapping of free lunches at staff canteens.

However, the club’s absence from European competitions this season will dent broadcasting revenue, hurt cash flow and stretch its balance sheet, intensifying financial pressure and fuelling criticism from supporters.

On the pitch, United’s inconsistent start to the new Premier League campaign – one win, one draw, and two losses – has left fans frustrated despite a summer outlay of about 230 million pounds on new attacking players.

“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch,” CEO Omar Berrada said in a statement.

Reuters

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was defiant in the face of growing criticism after his side were dismantled 3-0 by crosstown rivals Manchester City in Sunday’s Premier League derby at the Etihad Stadium.

United’s third loss in five matches across all competitions left them languishing 14th in the Premier League.

Amorim has just eight league wins since he joined United last November, and after the match the Portuguese was asked whether he should rethink his tactical setup. Perhaps it is simply too easy to play against.

His response was candid, if not combative.

“Guys, I understand that and I accept, so it’s not a record that you should have in Manchester United,” he told reporters. “There are a lot of things that you have no idea what happened during these months, but I accept that.

“But I’m not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you’ll have to change the men. And we will talk about that every game that we lose. So I play my way, and I’m going to play my way until I want to change.”

City were led by a clinical Erling Haaland, who struck twice, and a resurgent Phil Foden, who scored in his first start of the season.

United had their moments. Bryan Mbeumo forced a world-class save from City’s new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the second half. But United’s inability to convert chances and their defensive frailties were glaring.

City fans taunted Amorim with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”

Having made clear he would not abandon his footballing philosophy, Amorim was asked what message that sends supporters.

“My message is that I’m going to give everything. I will do everything, always thinking about what is best for the club. That was always the same message,” he said.

“And then it’s not my decision the rest. I really want to win games, so I’m suffering more than them.”

With Chelsea up next at Old Trafford on Saturday and no European football to distract from domestic woes, Amorim’s resolve will be tested again — and soon.

-Reuters

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