Manchester United stars 'losing faith' in Ruben Amorim's system but under-fire coach retains backing of club chiefs as crisis deepens

Manchester United are backing Ruben Amorim for now, but players are losing confidence in his system amid a growing crisis at Old Trafford.

Amorim insisted in the wake of a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in Sunday's Etihad derby that he would rather be sacked than change his philosophy.

The Portuguese coach retains the support of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club's hierarchy, but he is in danger of losing a section of the dressing-room over his refusal to compromise.

It's understood some players have never been comfortable with a 3-4-2-1 system that was introduced when Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag in mid-season last November.

United hoped that giving the 40-year-old a full pre-season to work with the squad, and £236million for new signings to fit his system, would see an upturn in results after the club's worst campaign in more than half a century.

However, United have made their worst start to a season in 33 years after taking just four points from their opening four Premier League games and crashing out of the Carabao Cup to League Two underdogs Grimsby Town.

The players are still struggling to get to grips with Amorim's style almost 11 months after he took over, and even one of his staunchest allies, captain Bruno Fernandes, is believed to be unhappy operating in a deeper midfield role.

United sources say it would be wrong to suggest that Amorim has lost the dressing-room, and insist he still has support among the squad.

But former United star Wayne Rooney has questioned whether the players understand the system, and claimed that United are going backwards under Amorim who has won just eight of his 31 Premier League games.

'We just watched it a lot of the lads who played the game today, and I don't think anyone can understand and comprehend what is going on,' said Rooney, who was in South Korea for a legends' game with some of his old United teammates.

'We are all watching it, and we all struggled to give what we see how Man United play. What are the patterns? What are we seeing what might improve the team moving forward? We have all played the game at the highest level and it is very difficult to see that.

'Speaking to Rio (Ferdinand), we want to support the team and the manager the best we can, but we also have to be honest as the fans are not fools.

'Rio was out with the team in Chicago pre-season. I go to the training ground a lot with my children, and it does put us in an uncomfortable position. But we have to be honest with what we're seeing. Frankly, it is not good enough.'

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport, the former United captain added: 'After the last year when Ten Hag got sacked and Ruben came in, we're hearing how they're going to play and it is going to change. I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse.

'I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players, but it is very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression – but not we're seeing none of that and it is very difficult.'

Rooney addressed the problem of dropping Fernandes deeper to accommodate the two No.10 signings United have made this summer, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, saying: 'The problem with this system is having two in midfield.

'One is Bruno who is a fantastic player and scores so many great goals. He has been Man United's best player in the last couple of seasons, but you do want to see him further forward.

'If you're struggling, you have to put three in midfield and give yourself a chance to compete in there. They're getting overrun and overpowered in that midfield.

'Unfortunately for United and the manager, it has been not too far off a year now and it is less than one point a game. Quite a lot of league seasons that is relegation form. I will try to defend it to a certain point, but I am struggling to find the words to do that at the minute.'