Man Utd: Ruben Amorim says not even Pope could make him change formation

Amorim’s reasoning for sticking with his system remains the same.

He feels if he bows to pressure it will undermine him in the eyes of his players.

“If I’m a player and I have a coach that, with a lot of pressure and [people] all around the world, are saying ‘you need to change the system’, says ‘I’m going to change’, they will look at me in a different way.

“Everything is important when you think about the impact that a decision is going to have on the team.

“I’m doing things my way. I hope to have the time to change but it will be an evolution.”

Speaking before Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford, Amorim says he understands the urgent need to win games.

While United officials have rejected the idea he has the three games until next month’s international break to save his job, Amorim knows the matches against Chelsea, Brentford and newly-promoted Sunderland have the potential to change the narrative around him.

The return from injury of £62.5m forward Matheus Cunha is likely to see skipper Bruno Fernandes again start in a deeper midfield role against Chelsea.

Fernandes’ failure to track Phil Foden’s run into the United penalty area in the lead-up to the opening goal against City – following a similar error that allowed Emile Smith Rowe to equalise for Fulham at Craven Cottage last month – has been cited as evidence for why the 31-year-old should be moved higher up the pitch.

Not for the first time, Amorim explained why he feels Fernandes can be more effective in the centre of his midfield.

“I want Bruno to have more possession to try to control the game,” he said.

“Maybe he doesn’t have the same freedom to get inside the box but he is getting there and he can do his shots.

“Sometimes we miss Bruno in front a little bit but if Cunha is there we have an extra player.

“I’m just trying to balance the team and imagine the game and I see Bruno well.

“He’s frustrated because he is not winning and sometimes he likes to go further. But he has a job to do.”