Rio Ferdinand has revealed that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim risked losing his job by stubbornly sticking to his tactical beliefs before the team’s recent turnaround in form. The former United defender believes the Portuguese coach’s determination to stay true to his philosophy was both brave and dangerous — but ultimately, it is now paying off.
Manchester United’s recent revival, marked by three straight Premier League victories against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, has eased the pressure on Amorim. However, just weeks ago, questions were mounting over his future after a poor start to the 2025–26 campaign, when United managed only two wins from their opening six league matches.
Ruben Amorim tactics under scrutiny after difficult start
Ruben Amorim’s tactics came under heavy criticism early in the season, especially his insistence on using the 3-4-3 formation he made famous during his time at Sporting CP. Critics argued that the system left United vulnerable defensively and failed to get the best out of key attacking players.
Despite the mounting pressure, Amorim defended his methods, saying before the win over Sunderland: “We have to look at the games we lost. Against Arsenal, City, and Brentford, it’s not the system’s fault. We created chances, but we made mistakes. The system is not the problem.”
At that point, Amorim had guided United to just two wins — against Burnley and Chelsea — while suffering defeats to Arsenal, Manchester City, and Brentford, and being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town after a dramatic 12-11 penalty shootout.
Ruben Amorim tactics backed by Ratcliffe spark turnaround
After United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly backed the manager, the atmosphere around Old Trafford shifted. The players responded with renewed belief, securing a 2-0 win over Sunderland before producing a memorable 2-1 victory at Anfield — their first at Liverpool since 2016. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire lifted the mood, while Amorim’s tactical approach — once questioned — suddenly appeared to be working.
The revival continued at Old Trafford when United beat Brighton 4-2, with Mbeumo scoring twice and Brazilian duo Matheus Cunha and Casemiro adding to the tally. The win lifted United to sixth in the Premier League table and gave Amorim his third straight league victory as head coach.
Ferdinand: Amorim ‘played Russian Roulette’ with his job
Rio Ferdinand, speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, admitted that he “admired” Amorim’s courage to stand by his football philosophy but warned that the decision could have easily cost him his job.
“I admire it to a certain extent,” Ferdinand said. “But I think he was playing Russian Roulette with his job. He didn’t change drastically — he just tweaked things. Maybe he became a bit more conservative without the ball. You can’t press for 90 minutes unless you’re an absolute machine. PSG do it, but this squad isn’t built like that.”
Ferdinand added that Amorim’s willingness to stick to his core principles was risky but might now prove to be the key to Manchester United’s progress. “If United end up in the Champions League places, Amorim will probably look back and say, ‘If I had changed my tactics, I might not be here now.’”
Ruben Amorim tactics win over critics and players alike
Interestingly, Amorim’s tactical approach has also earned praise from opponents. Former United forward Danny Welbeck, who now plays for Brighton, said after their 4-2 defeat: “It’s the best Manchester United side we’ve faced in a while. They were organised, structured, and punished our mistakes. They’ve always had good players, but now there’s clear purpose in their play.”
Such comments highlight the growing respect for the way Ruben Amorim’s tactics are shaping Manchester United’s performances. His emphasis on pressing, structure, and controlled build-up play — combined with minor adjustments in defensive transitions — seems to have brought balance to the team.
Ruben Amorim tactics and United’s next challenge
Manchester United will look to extend their winning streak when they travel to Nottingham Forest next weekend. Forest, under new manager Sean Dyche, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth in his first game in charge and currently sit 18th in the Premier League. Amorim’s side, meanwhile, have climbed to sixth, just a few points off the top four.
As Ferdinand and others have noted, Ruben Amorim’s tactics — once viewed as stubborn and risky — are now being credited for turning United’s fortunes around. His resilience in the face of criticism and his ability to make subtle yet effective adjustments could mark the start of a new era at Old Trafford.
If United maintain this momentum, Amorim’s principles may no longer be seen as a gamble — but as the foundation of Manchester United’s return to elite form.
