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Stubborn Ruben Amorim says ‘not even the Pope will make me change’ tactics

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Stubborn Ruben Amorim says 'not even the Pope will make me change' tactics

Ruben Amorim has made it clear that not even the Pope could convince him to abandon his tactical approach at Manchester United.

The United manager met with part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week following the club’s worst Premier League start since 1992. Despite criticism for sticking with his 3-4-3 setup, Amorim remains steadfast and confident he has the support of Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and football director Jason Wilcox after their scheduled Thursday meeting.

When asked if anyone within the hierarchy had urged him to rethink his strategy, Amorim dismissed the idea, saying no one, “not even the Pope,” could persuade him to change. He stressed that managing the team his way is his responsibility and his life’s work, so he will not alter it.

Speaking lightheartedly about his discussion with Ratcliffe, Amorim joked that the Ineos chief “offered him a new contract,” before clarifying it was a normal meeting in which Ratcliffe once again described the project as long-term. He added that the conversation with Ratcliffe, Berrada, and Wilcox was routine and supportive.

The Portuguese coach acknowledged that his style will naturally evolve over time but believes making abrupt changes now would send the wrong signal to his squad.

He explained that adjustments will happen step by step and that if he were to suddenly alter his system, players might lose confidence in his leadership. Amorim emphasized that while other managers may do things differently, he intends to stick to his methods and hopes to be given the time needed for gradual progress.

United have collected only four points from their opening four league matches and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby, so it was understandable that many viewed his meeting with Ratcliffe as significant. Amorim accepted that scrutiny is natural at a club of United’s stature, calling it one of the most high-pressure football environments in the world and reaffirming the ambition to win.

Earlier this week he was briefly linked with a return to Benfica, where he once played, before the Portuguese club appointed José Mourinho.

Amorim dismissed those rumors, insisting there was no approach and stating that he remains fully focused on Manchester United.

He added that when his time at Old Trafford eventually ends, whether soon or years from no, he will take a well-deserved break. With a grin, he noted that Mourinho is already in place at Benfica, joking that the media can have fun with that story instead.

Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea will see Alejandro Garnacho face United only three weeks after leaving for Stamford Bridge in a £40 million move.

Amorim will be hoping the Argentine winger does not mark his return with a goal, especially after recent success stories from other former United players.

Marcus Rashford scored twice for Barcelona at Newcastle in midweek, while Rasmus Hojlund netted his first goal for Napoli, achievements that brought a smile to the United manager’s face as he said he was delighted for both.

Amorim kept his cards close to his chest when asked if Altay Bayindir would remain in goal ahead of deadline-day signing Senne Lammens, who cost £18.2 million.

He explained that every player must compete for a place and that his focus is solely on selecting the lineup that offers the best chance to win the next game. By the end of the season, he added, the team on the pitch could look quite different as he works to build stronger connections and earn more points.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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