Ruben Amorim suffered another embarrassing low as Manchester United head coach after losing to League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round.
After losing their opening three games of the 2025–26 season, Manchester United has had a poor start.
On the field, the Red Devils have continuously struggled to implement Ruben Amorim’s strategy.
Even after spending more than £200 million on new players during the summer transfer window, United has not yet demonstrated any discernible progress.
At Old Trafford this evening, United supporters will be hoping that Amorim’s team can defeat Burnley and earn their first victory of the season.
Gordon Hill advises Ruben Amorim to switch to a 4-4-2 system
Amorim has been working to put his preferred 3-4-2-1 system into practice since taking over as United’s head coach.
As evidenced by the most recent loss to Grimsby Town, which left more questions than answers regarding Amorim’s method, the results will show that it hasn’t succeeded yet.
Gordon Hill, a former United winger, has suggested that Amorim change his system to a 4-4-2 in order to increase the number of goals scored by the present team.
“My advice to Amorim now,” Hill started. “And I tell you, mate, go back to a 4-4-2, let them go out and put one order on them. Go and score goals.
“You got out there, you score goals. I don’t care how you create them. I want goals.
“I want the ball in the back of their net. Give them a little bit more freedom. Don’t restrict the players that can play in positions to players who can’t play in those positions.
“Stop trying to satisfy every Tom, Dick and Harry in that squad. Your job is to get a result. You pick players to give you results. If they play well, they get a game next week. If they play well, they get a game the week after.
“Those players sitting on the bench have got to say to themselves, when I get on that field, that position is mine. That’s what I feel and see that is missing.”
What has Amorim said about changing his system?
Since Amorim took Erik ten Hag’s position, United has played with a back three.
During his news conference on Friday, Amorim was questioned about his method before restating that United’s problems are not due to their 3-4-2-1 scheme.
There won’t be any changes anytime soon, as Amorim emphasized that he would only be open to switching formations when the players have mastered the current one.
“Guys, if I feel that it’s best to change… I played all my life in the 4-4-2, 4-3-3. The only system that I didn’t play one minute: 3-4-3,” Amorim said. “I just have one idea that we need to be so good in this way of playing, then we are going to adapt.
“It’s like some coaches have a mentality that I’m going to put this system, and then I’m going to change. What I’m thinking is that we have one system that is going to adapt to different systems, and then when everyone is doing this with his eyes shut, I’m going to change a lot of things.
“You cannot tell me that we are always with five defenders. You cannot tell me that we are always with four defenders. You cannot tell me that we are always with three defenders. I’m just trying to coach my players with the idea that I have.
“And I said that many times, this is the fun part. If it’s just to win the game or to play in the 4-3-3, I was not here. They asked me before I arrived here, can you play this system? I will say, I will do my system no matter what. If it’s okay for you, it’s okay.
“And then in the future, I could change. I could wake up in one morning and say, I understand that for my idea of football, it’s better to change right away.
“I just want to win. But if I’m going to change because something is not working and I don’t believe, players will understand. This guy is telling you one thing, he’s not believing in the other thing.
“So it’s not about the system. We lost against Grimsby about the system? In the first half, I didn’t know the system of the team!
“So, guys, it’s not the system.”
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