Manchester United players losing faith in Ruben Amorim’s system as club chiefs back coach

Manchester United players are reported to be losing confidence in manager Ruben Amorim’s tactical system even as the club’s ownership and senior hierarchy continue to back the Portuguese coach.

Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag last November, reiterated after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City that he would rather be sacked than abandon his philosophy. The result at the Etihad left United with four points from four Premier League matches and facing further scrutiny after a Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town.

Club sources said Amorim retains the backing of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior figures at Old Trafford, and that it would be wrong to suggest he has lost the dressing room. Those sources acknowledged, however, that a section of the squad has struggled to adapt to the 3-4-2-1 system Amorim introduced after his mid-season arrival and which the club hoped would take fuller shape after a pre-season and the summer recruitment drive.

United spent about £236 million on new signings over the summer to fit the coach’s preferred system. Despite that investment and a full pre-season for Amorim, the team has recorded its worst start to a league season in 33 years and the coach’s Premier League record at the club stands at eight wins in 31 matches.

Several players are reported to be uncomfortable with the formation, and one of Amorim’s closest on-field allies, captain Bruno Fernandes, is understood to be unhappy with a deeper midfield role assigned to him to accommodate two attacking signings brought in as No.10 options. The summer additions include Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both signed to operate in more advanced positions.

Former United forward Wayne Rooney, speaking from South Korea on the Wayne Rooney Show for BBC Sport, questioned whether the squad fully understands the system and described the team’s recent performances as concerning. "We just watched it... and I don't think anyone can understand and comprehend what is going on," Rooney said. He added that United were being overrun in midfield and said he had struggled to see improvement under the current tactics.

Rooney highlighted the issue of asking Fernandes to operate in a deeper role and argued the team might need to deploy three midfielders to compete physically and tactically in certain matches. "One is Bruno who is a fantastic player... you do want to see him further forward," Rooney said. "If you're struggling, you have to put three in midfield and give yourself a chance to compete in there. They're getting overrun and overpowered in that midfield."

Club officials who still support Amorim point to the time needed to implement a new style and the summer recruitment aimed at assembling players suited to the system. They also note that managerial transitions, particularly mid-season changes followed by a new full pre-season, can produce inconsistent early results as players adjust to new roles and tactical demands.

Amorim’s insistence on maintaining his philosophy has become a central issue. After the City defeat, he told reporters he would rather lose his job than compromise on how he wants the team to play, a stance that has both reassured some board members and frustrated elements within the squad who are struggling to reconcile their performances with his tactical demands.

The identity and tone of dissent within the dressing room were described by sources as mixed: while some players continue to support the coach and his long-term vision, others are said to be increasingly uncomfortable with positional changes and the responsibilities required by the 3-4-2-1. United sources cautioned against painting the situation as a wholesale breakdown in relations, saying the squad remains professionally committed to training and matches even if internal debates persist.

The immediate fixtures will test whether Amorim’s approach can produce results under mounting external pressure. The club’s hierarchy is now faced with balancing short-term results and player confidence against a longer-term project that has so far failed to yield consistent improvement. Any further deterioration in results or public signs of division could force a reappraisal of strategy inside Old Trafford, but as of Monday the board continued to back Amorim while monitoring developments closely.

Public scrutiny from former players and pundits has added to the pressure. Rooney said he and other former team-mates and supporters want to be credibly optimistic, but judged that on-field evidence to date made that difficult. The coming weeks will be pivotal for Amorim as United seek to arrest a run that, if it continues, risks dragging the club further down the Premier League table and beyond the hopes pinned on a summer of significant investment.