Amorim says time is right for Man Utd formation change, maintains he could not bow to media pressure

Ruben Amorim believes the time is now right for Manchester United to change their formation, though he maintains there would have been no coming back if he had bowed to media pressure to do so earlier.

Amorim attracted fierce criticism for his refusal to move away from a 3-4-3 formation throughout his first 12 months at Old Trafford, which brought a 15th-placed Premier League finish and a humiliating Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

But the Red Devils have shown signs of improvement in 2025-26 and approach Tuesday’s clash with Wolves sixth in the table, knowing three points could lift them into the top four.

United are without several key players, with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo representing their international teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, while captain Bruno Fernandes is out with a hamstring injury.

They deployed a 4-2-3-1 system during their 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day, and Amorim hopes they can use this period to become comfortable in a new shape.

However, he insists that had he altered his ways midway through last season, it would have been “the end” for him.

“When I came here last season, I understood maybe I don’t have the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process,” Amorim said.

“We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We don’t have a lot of players, and we need to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.

“It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.

“When you talked about changing the system all the time, I could not change because the players would understand I’m changing because of you, and I think that is the end for the manager.

“When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.

“We are going to become a better team because when all the players return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time.”

Wolves, meanwhile, are adrift at the foot of the table after making the worst start to a season in Premier League history, picking up just two points from 18 matches.

Only Bolton Wanderers, in 1902-03, have ever gone longer without a win at the start of an English top-flight campaign, and Rob Edwards admits losing is now a habit for his players.

“It has been [a habit] for a long period of time. I’ve been here six weeks, and I’m fed up of it,” Edwards said. “We’ve got to find a way.

“We’ve got to latch on to that second-half performance [in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool], because I don’t want to be coming into dressing rooms at the end of games and saying that’s the level, but we’re taking nothing from it.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester United – Patrick Dorgu

After his wonderful goal against Newcastle on Boxing Day, Dorgu has been involved in two goals in his last two games for United (one goal, one assist).

That is after he only managed one assist, and no goals, in his first 36 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions.

Wolves – Mateus Mane

With Wolves’ relegation all but assured already, Edwards must plan for the future, and 18-year-old winger Mane could have a major role to play for them going forward.

Mane made his first Premier League start against Liverpool on Saturday, and he attempted the joint-most shots of any player in that match (four, alongside Hugo Ekitike).

Mane also attempted more dribbles than any other Wolves player (four), while his passing accuracy in the final third (77.8%, nine completed) was the second highest among Wolves players (after Andre, 88.9%) and better than any member of Liverpool’s front three.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

United have won eight of their last 11 Premier League matches against Wolves (L3), beating them 4-1 earlier this month at Molineux.

Wolves did win this exact fixture 1-0 last season, though, and they could now win consecutive league games at Old Trafford for the first time since a run of three victories from March 1960 to September 1961.

But a repeat of that Easter Sunday success – sealed by Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free-kick – looks highly unlikely.

Wolves have lost 25 Premier League games in 2025 – a defeat here would equal the most losses suffered by any club in a calendar year in the competition (Ipswich Town – 26 in 1994).

They have suffered at least five more defeats than any other team in a nightmarish year, with Tottenham and West Ham losing 20 games apiece.

United lost their final league game in both 2023 (versus Nottingham Forest) and 2024 (against Newcastle). They last lost their final league game in three consecutive calendar years between 1980 and 1982, and they should avoid that fate here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester United – 69.8%

Wolves – 13.2%

Draw – 17%