Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim expressed his frustration following his team’s disappointing 3-1 home loss to Brighton at Old Trafford, a result that deepened the club’s struggles in the Premier League. With ten defeats in their opening 22 matches, the pressure on Amorim and his tactical approach continues to mount. However, the Portuguese coach remained resolute in his commitment to the 3-4-3 system he has implemented, despite the challenges it has posed.
Amorim highlighted the players’ failure to adhere to their assigned roles as a major issue during the match, particularly their tendency to abandon positions and switch flanks. He acknowledged that introducing a new tactical philosophy was always going to be a challenging process, but the team’s current poor form has made it even more difficult.
“I expected it to be tough to bring in a new system,” Amorim admitted. “But when you’re losing games and haven’t won three in a row, it becomes even harder. That’s why I keep telling the players we’re going to suffer initially, but I’ll stick with this system. I’ll give them the tools to succeed, but they must trust the plan and stay disciplined in their roles.”
Despite the team’s struggles to create meaningful chances against Brighton, managing just one shot on target—a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes—Amorim stood firm in his belief in the system. He emphasized that changing the formation, such as playing with two strikers to appease critics, would not benefit the team in the long term. Instead, he stressed the importance of continuity and helping the players fully understand his tactical ideas.
“If I wanted to please the media or the fans, I’d have switched to two strikers,” he explained. “But that would only make it harder for the players to grasp the way we’re trying to play. We’re in a difficult situation, breaking bad records, and we need to take responsibility for that. The only way forward is to own up to our mistakes and work hard to correct them.”
Amorim also criticized his team’s lack of focus and discipline, pointing to one of Brighton’s goals as an example of United failing to execute despite being well-prepared for their opponent’s tactics. He urged his players to stay concentrated and resilient, emphasizing the need for hard work and perseverance to turn the season around.
“We knew about Brighton’s tactics before the game, yet we didn’t stop them. That can’t happen,” Amorim said. “We must stay focused, work harder, and learn to bounce back from setbacks. That’s the only way to change our fortunes.”
