'If I were Ruben Amorim I wouldn't be keeping my job - Man Utd are in relegation form'

Sam Allardyce is shocked that Ruben Amorim is still at the helm of Manchester United, describing their current run as "relegation form." Following a disappointing Premier League campaign last season, where the Red Devils ended up in 15th place, over £200million was splashed out in the summer to try and turn things around.

However, this season seems to be following the same pattern as the last, with losses becoming a regular occurrence. On Saturday, Amorim's squad suffered their third top-flight defeat of the season, losing 3-1 to Brentford away from home.

Coupled with a shocking Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town, it paints a grim picture. Former Bolton and West Ham manager Allardyce can't fathom how Amorim has managed to hold onto his position.

"The bottom line speaks for itself: nine wins in 33. If I'm at a Premier League side, it's hard to say, but I would not be keeping my job at a club far lesser than Manchester United," Allardyce stated on the podcast, brought to you by Boyle Sports.

"They would expect better results than that. I think that's relegation form, you know what I mean. There may be a few draws in that, but it's not gonna be 30 points, or anywhere near it."

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Amorim has been particularly criticised for his stubbornness in changing his team's formation, which includes three central defenders and two attacking wing-backs, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Players like Bruno Fernandes have failed to fully thrive in this system and Allardyce, who possesses tactical expertise in deploying a back three or five, reckons United's star performers need to be utilised in their favoured roles.

"So, after the start to the season and the change around players - more players in - there's not been too much of a change in the systems of play," continued Allardyce. "Look, I've played a back three, back five, many, many times. Explained it to all the players and trained with it.

"It is not easy. It's not easy if you're not used to your centre halves not having anyone alongside them. It's a different way of defending. You've got one spare in the middle, so they pick up who's there.

"I sometimes feel that you're normally facing one up front, and you've got a free player, and there are too many spare. They can talk about any system they want, but it's the individuals who are not playing at their best.

"If some players are playing out of position and he's one of the top players, he [Amorim] has to put his top player in the position he wants to play in more. They've spent enough money to be more creative, but they aren't scoring."

Despite numerous voices questioning Amorim's approach to his tactics, the manager concedes he will never modify how he structures his side. The Portuguese boss quipped that not even the Pope could persuade him to alter his methods.

"No, no, no," Amorim declared earlier this month when questioned about altering his team's tactics. "No one. Not even the Pope will change... This is my job. This is my responsibility. This is my life.

"So, I will not change that. 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."

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