Three things Manchester United must change to get the best out of Ruben Amorim's system | OneFootball

Under-fire Red Devils boss adamant he won’t change his philosophy in wake of derby drubbing, but there are some key alterations to make within it

Ruben Amorim was staunch in defence of his philosophy in the wake of Manchester United’s defeat by rivals Manchester City in Sunday’s derby.

After just eight Premier League wins since his appointment last November, Amorim’s statements were bold. But they also weren’t without merit, because while they were well beaten by City, there were moments in the game from which United can take encouragement.

More change is not what United need; they have bought into Amorim’s ideas, investing in his squad to the tune of more than £200million.

United’s faith can’t, however, be blind, and Amorim needs to show a bit of flexibility with his team selection.

Standard Sport looks at three ways Amorim can adapt to get the best out of his system.

Fresh start for Mainoo

There are a myriad of problems facing United, some without a determinable solution, yet one decision is staring them in the face.

Amorim’s refusal to start Kobbie Mainoo gets more perplexing by the week, with the young midfielder having come off the bench in United’s last two league games.

Mainoo is a prodigious talent, a perfect blend of physicality, skill, and composure; however, Amorim remains reluctant to utilise him.

He opted to use Manuel Ugarte alongside Bruno Fernandes on Sunday and was duly punished, with City carving through United’s midfield with ease.

When he eventually introduced Mainoo, just past the hour mark, there was a noticeable upturn in energy and direction, but by then the result was already set in stone.

Mainoo, a bright spot on an otherwise dismal afternoon, added dynamism to United’s performance, complementing the best parts of Amorim’s system.

It’s not a case of whether the England international is good enough, with Amorim suggesting that Mainoo is not used to having to compete for minutes.

Amorim, though, has to use him to try and restore some balance to United’s midfield.

Move Fernandes further forward

Bruno Fernandes has been the figure of consistency amid the chaos for United over the years, a player with the ability to pull his team out of any situation.

United’s captain is exactly the sort of personality Amorim needs to build around, playing to his strengths rather than moulding him to fit the system.

Deployed in a deeper role as part of a midfield pivot, Fernandes looked stifled against City, unable to affect the game in the final third.

Fernandes’ role within Amorim’s system is not just to the detriment of the Portuguese midfielder, but to the rest of the team, with the 31-year-old lacking the defensive instincts to play as part of a midfield two.

Fernandes is selfless, committing the prime years of his career to trying to resurrect United’s fortunes, but his role within the side should not be sacrificed for the good of the system. The system has to work for Fernandes, rather than the other way round.

Amorim needs to push Fernandes further forward to get the best out of him, and while that perhaps means an awkward conversation with summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, it’s essential to United making a success of what is quickly turning into another disastrous season.

Amorim would have been bold to hand a debut to deadline day arrival Senne Lammens in the Manchester derby.

However, going forward, the Belgian shot-stopper has to be given the chance to prove he is capable of being United’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Current No1 Altay Bayindir once again flattered to deceive against City, with a shaky performance that did little to inspire any confidence.

Bayindir has faced mounting criticism this season for not being strong enough from corners, and while typically assured with his feet, he struggled under pressure against City and nearly gifted the hosts possession inside his own area on a number of occasions.

United, who will have looked longingly at the performance of Gianluigi Donnarumma on his City debut, need a goalkeeper who can command authority and take charge of situations.

Bayindir, however, only added to the chaos that unfolded at the Etihad, with United shipping two goals in a calamitous 15-minute spell in the second half.

Lammens is young and inexperienced. He doesn’t necessarily represent the answer, but he does represent change in a position where United sorely need fresh impetus.