Civil War at Old Trafford: Amorim risks the wrath of INEOS after defying order to “evolve” United’s system – report

Manchester United executives are worried by how easily Ruben Amorim’s tactics can be “picked apart” by opposition managers as pressure on the Portuguese coach – and his system – continues to build, according to a new report. Backed in Public, Concerns in Private The Red Devils are currently sixth in the table, a position INEOS had identified as a pre-season target with a return to European football in their crosshairs. But the 2025/26 campaign has been a chaotic one in the Premier League, with every side bar the top three – Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa – struggling to demonstrate consistent form. Liverpool are currently fourth with 33 points while Newcastle are 13th, yet only seven points separate them. It’s a congested pack with virtually every team from Tyneside up having an excellent shot at European qualification, if – and it is a considerable if – they can find their groove in 2026. This means that United’s position is not necessarily as strong as it appears on paper, particularly given Amorim’s squad only have the Premier League to contend with. The lack of European football at Old Trafford this season, combined with the embarrassing early exit in the Carabao Cup, allows United’s full focus to be on the league – and that makes their constant inability to capitalise on opportunities to climb the table all the more infuriating. INEOS continue to throw their full weight behind Amorim publicly. But, privately, the Daily Mail reveals there are “grumblings” amongst the hierarchy over “how the team is functioning”. A separate report relayed by The People Person even suggests potential replacements are being sounded out, with Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner the primary target. A Simple System The noise around Amorim’s future is inexorably tied to his 3-4-2-1 system – with the two almost synonymous with each other. But this furore is usually from outside the club, rather than internally. Earlier in the season, however, following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Fulham, recruitment director Christopher Vivell is said to have openly questioned how easily the Cottagers exploited Amorim’s set-up. Sources reveal the German expressed “irritation” at Marco Silva’s explanation of how Fulham “knew” how United would play, with midfielder Alex Iwobi mirroring his manager’s assessment after the match. This incensed Vivell, who sent videos of these interviews to the WhatsApp group of United’s senior leadership team, outlining the “need to evolve to a less predictable system,” the Daily Mail reveals. Wolves manager Rob Edwards offered a similar assessment of the ease with which he predicted Amorim’s approach in the 1-1 draw on Tuesday night – a comment “unlikely to have been warmly received by United chiefs,” the report states, given the stark similarities with the Fulham match in September. There have been improvements beyond this, with wins over Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Crystal Palace giving credence to Amorim’s ability to adapt. These have been balanced by infuriating defeats to Brentford and, in particular, a 10-man Everton side at Old Trafford, where the entire stadium implored their head coach to abandon his three-at-the-back system and commit more men forward – but he did not relent. A host of draws, often from winning positions, have been largely the story of United’s disjointed season. The stalemate against Wolves was the latest instalment, with Amorim’s decisions both before and during the match under intense scrutiny. The Portuguese is in constant dialogue with sporting director Jason Wilcox, ever present at Carrington and intimately involved in the club’s strategic planning, both short and long-term. The Daily Mail reports these conversations have become “more fraught” in recent weeks, however – and concludes that “even the most staunch defenders of [Amorim] are growing weary at [his] lack of attacking intent.” The Red Devils are next in action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to face Leeds United in a pivotal match, on and off the pitch. If they were to fall to their bitter rivals, the conversations amongst United’s executives will become even more fraught and irritated over their man in the dugout at Elland Road. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.