'Not Even the Pope Can Change My Mind'

Amorim insists he won’t abandon his 3-4-2-1 system despite criticism.
⁠Ratcliffe’s visit to Carrington was “pre-planned”, not a crisis meeting.
⁠Director Wilcox says club needs structural overhaul and remains hopeful.

Manchester United manager, Rúben Amorim, has made it clear he won’t be swayed into abandoning his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.

The Portuguese said not even football executives or religious leaders can make him change his beliefs.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that following the Red Devils’ defeat to rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, the week has been anything but calm.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, minority stakeholder at the club, visited the Carrington training ground on Thursday via helicopter.

Club insiders have insisted it was a scheduled visit and not a reactionary meeting.

Amorim, who has seen his team win just once in four Premier League games this season and suffer an embarrassing EFL Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby, responded to the visit with humour.

“He came to offer me a new contract,” the Portuguese boss joked.

However, the tone turned serious when asked if Ratcliffe had pressured him to alter his tactical setup.

“Not even the Pope can convince me to change,” Amorim stated confidently.

“This is my job, my responsibility, my life. I won’t back down.”

He defended his decision, pointing out that changing his system under pressure would weaken his authority in the dressing room.

“If I change just because of outside noise, my players will see me differently,” he explained.

“These things affect the whole team. I’m doing it my way, and with time, we will evolve.”

As Chelsea prepares to visit Old Trafford, Amorim knows the importance of the next three games against Chelsea, Brentford, and Sunderland even though the club insists he is not under immediate threat of losing his job before the international break.

One boost for the under-fire manager is the return of £62.5 million striker Matheus Cunha, who could free up captain Bruno Fernandes to drop deeper in midfield a decision that has also drawn criticism.

Fernandes has been blamed for recent defensive lapses, including failing to mark Phil Foden in the Manchester Derby and losing track of Emile Smith Rowe in a draw against Fulham.

Amorim stood by his choice.
“I want Bruno to help control the game by having more of the ball,” he said. Ruben Amorim

“He may not get into the box as much, but with Cunha up front, we get an extra option. Bruno is doing what I ask of him, even if he gets frustrated because we’re not winning.”