Why Ruben Amorim is right not to abandon his philosophy | OneFootball

The image of Ruben Amorim crouched in the dugout, head bowed, as Manchester United crashed out of the League Cup to Grimsby on penalties will linger in the collective memory. For many, it has already become the shorthand for a reign in crisis. A brief glimmer of promise in the opening-day draw against Arsenal, when United were unlucky not to win, has been eclipsed by a sequence of setbacks, the most painful of which was the 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City. That loss sparked a renewed chorus of doubts about Amorim’s suitability for Old Trafford.

The criticism is no longer confined to the terraces. United’s record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, put it starkly this week: “I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse.”

Amorim vs Ten Hag: The Numbers

The figures appear to support Rooney’s verdict. Amorim took charge on 1 November 2024, hailed as the bright young tactician who had reshaped Sporting Lisbon with his modern 3-4-2-1 system and trust in youth. He inherited a side adrift under Erik ten Hag, but one that still had an FA Cup in the cabinet and a degree of competitiveness. Looking at each manager’s first 31 games in charge, Ten Hag by this point had earned 57 points, scoring 56 and conceding 41. By contrast, Amorim’s side has accumulated just 31 points, scoring 29 and conceding 53, numbers that hardly reflect well on the Portuguese manager.

The Charge of Stubbornness

Much of the criticism centres on Amorim’s refusal to abandon his 3-4-2-1 formation. At Sporting, it worked to devastating effect, providing defensive stability while liberating players such as Pedro Gonçalves. At United, it has been more problematic. Bruno Fernandes has found himself adrift, while Luke Shaw has looked awkward as the left-sided centre-back, causing Danny Murphy, writing for BBC Sport, to accuse Amorim of “trying to fit square pegs in round holes.”

It is easy to dismiss such rigidity as naïveté. After all, Ten Hag abandoned elements of his Ajax philosophy, adopting pragmatic tweaks that occasionally brought big-game wins and a level of consistency. Yet pragmatism came at a cost. After two-and-a-half years, Ten Hag’s United had not developed any discernible identity. Performances veered wildly from disciplined to shambolic; supporters rarely knew which version of their side would show up.

Amorim, by contrast, has been unwavering. Asked after the derby defeat why he would not switch systems, his reply was unequivocal: “If not, you have to change the man.” It was a striking admission, but also an honest one. His philosophy is his conviction. To abandon it would be to abandon the very reason United hired him.

Signs of Coherence

For all the poor results, there is a case to be made that United are gradually learning his patterns. The side is more compact, attacking and defending as a unit. Their expected goals for and against place them among the league’s best performers, and while xG is a hollow comfort when defeats mount, it hints at an underlying structure. The failings have been more individual than collective: missed chances in front of goal, defensive lapses, and unconvincing goalkeeping.

Despite losing to Arsenal, there were signs of progress. The win over Burnley showed resilience, and the Fulham stalemate could easily have been three points with sharper finishing. Amorim’s United may not yet look like winners, but they do not look like chaos either.

Smarter Recruitment

Amorim’s approach in the transfer market has also distinguished him from his predecessors. Gone is the scattergun pursuit of fading stars. Instead, there has been a blend of Premier League nous and emerging talent. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha already look astute additions. Benjamin Šeško, though still adjusting, is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising forwards. Such moves reflect a strategy, not desperation.

Contrast that with Ten Hag’s reign, which leaned heavily on familiar faces from Ajax and panic signings in January windows. Amorim is at least shaping a squad with a plan in mind.

The Pressure of Patience

Yet philosophy, numbers, and transfer logic matter little if results do not follow. Amorim knows this as well as anyone. The goodwill he enjoyed on arrival has largely evaporated. The fans, bruised by years of underachievement, are unwilling to indulge another “project” without signs of immediate improvement. Rooney’s verdict resonates because it articulates a widespread unease: whatever United are trying to become, they appear worse than before.

Still, it is worth asking: what is the alternative? Abandoning Amorim’s philosophy might yield short-term gains but risks repeating the same cycle of muddled identities that has plagued the club since 2013. A team that stands for nothing is destined to drift. Amorim, at least, offers clarity of purpose.

So is Ruben Amorim right not to abandon his philosophy? The answer is yes, though it comes with a heavy caveat. United must begin converting coherence into victories, and quickly. The coming months will define whether Amorim’s convictions can withstand the brutal realities of the Premier League.

What is clear is that his refusal to compromise is not obstinacy for its own sake. It is a recognition that the only way Manchester United can truly move forward is by building an identity rooted in consistency. Results may yet decide his fate, but if Amorim is to fail, he is right to do so on his own terms.

GFN | Finn Entwistle