Ruben Amorim is aware something must change at Manchester United after their embarrassing EFL Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, and he knows it cannot be another overhaul of their squad.
Having taken one point from their first two games of the Premier League season, United were expected to get a result against fourth-tier opposition at Blundell Park.
But despite Amorim starting new forwards Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, with Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes coming off the bench at half-time, his reign hit a new low.
United rallied from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw but lost 12-11 in a penalty shoot-out, with £130m duo Cunha and Mbeumo both failing from the spot.
The Red Devils had never previously failed to progress when facing fourth-tier teams in the EFL Cup, and this is just their third second-round exit from the competition since 1981-82 (also 1995-96 against York City and 2014-15 versus MK Dons).
The result piled further pressure on Amorim, and he knows there may soon be an appetite for change.
"I am shocked because we are at a moment when we are making a lot of changes," Amorim told ITV Sport. "We try to fight a lot of things but then when we have these moments, we need to show up.
"If we don't show up, you can feel that something has to change, and you are not going to change 22 players again."
Amorim did not watch the penalty shoot-out, sitting in the dugout looking dejected throughout, and he felt the way the spot-kicks went was irrelevant.
"It doesn't matter if we recovered or not. It's the signs the team made during the game, especially the beginning of the game," Amorim said.
"I know that the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose, because one team can win against any group of players.
"I think the team and the players spoke really loud today. The way we started the game without any intensity, we were completely lost."
United host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, having only collected six points in the competition since the start of April – the fewest of any ever-present club.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Amorim added: "I have no more answers. I do not even have anything to say. I just want to apologise to our fans. I'm really, really sorry."
Barcelonakings
0
oh yes, he accepted that as of yesterday that he won't change at all
Trust me it will be better this manager son how became the worst manager in Man U history 😂
dominant-S
0
So he needs to leave fore that to happens
oh yes, he accepted that as of yesterday that he won't change at all
ThomasH80
0
Yes. Things have to change. Change the formation, or leave.
Toedinrt
0
Two things must change one being your formation or else you to be changed, i mean sacking you in particular
yecabcor
0
yes U ryt U need to be changed an get a new manager
Barcelonakings
0
So are you going to blame rashford again or the coach
You mean rashford l, Antony, Sancho 😂
Barcelonakings
1
and that thing that need to change is the FORMATION and his stubbornness.
So he needs to leave fore that to happens
pieaciuz
0
ur formation this is not portugal where they are not enough good teams to figure u out stop bein stuborn an make a change how you still married when woman always want things to change
Andy220
0
that formation is ancient! just wont work in modern football. no team in the epl is using that hopeless formation. he did say hes not changing system. so leave !!! it just wont work.
Crystal Palace is using it but you know what is the difference, Glasner change according to opponents. Conte has gone back to 442 you see variation, Xabi Alonso has like 3 formations he could conjure up if He doesn't want to play 4atb, Inter Milan is still using 3412 but in 352 Variant, played Barcelona and when they started winning switched formation. Your coach didn't ever change his formation at Sporting, even there He almost bottle the league but Gyökeres is a beast who didn't let it happen
Richardoghale
0
that formation is ancient! just wont work in modern football. no team in the epl is using that hopeless formation. he did say hes not changing system. so leave !!! it just wont work.
Crystal Palace is using it, don't say what you don't know bredda
dominant-S
0
and that thing that need to change is the FORMATION and his stubbornness.
Niccdortu
0
A lot has to change! If almost every game the opposite team has to be given a goal by the goalkeeper and the board can't secure one in time for the start of the new season. The next manager should be a player who can always get in and assist the team when the board has failed to deliver players!
lowbdemost
0
all of u complaining about formation, is it nt the same formation he used at sporting and was very successful ? is it nt the same formation conte used at Chelsea that won him trophies and his still using ? u want the manager sack ? who would u want to replace him ? u all celebrated his appointment bw u want him out , the truth is that man United us nt good, Ferguson made united wt it is through hard work and cheat , u guts should face the truth give the manager time and build from scratch, that is ur level nw
that formation is ancient! just wont work in modern football. no team in the epl is using that hopeless formation. he did say hes not changing system. so leave !!! it just wont work.
lowbdemost
1
only way forward is ditch that hopeless back 3 system. never use it again ever!!!!
JordayTheDome
1
change formation
reaklnprs
0
the only thing that needs to be changed is your system
Glorykay1
0
not something but everything
biyabemtuy
0
Rashford.
Why rash
Sovoty
0
I'm not trolling nobody tho, but I don't man U will pass above 13,14th position this season, so far amorim is their head coach!!!
You said the same thing when Ten Hag was the coach. You will probably be saying the same thing whoever will come after Amorin.
Sovoty
0
So are you going to blame rashford again or the coach
Rashford.
Sisamost
0
Something has to change for sure. Starting from the useléss Glazers to the coach.
Your tactics have to change. Being stubborn is not yielding results. Don’t be a one trick pony
biyabemtuy
0
So are you going to blame rashford again or the coach
biyabemtuy
0
Plus I don't i see wingers anymore, only use amad diallo, this information has failed,, notice about united squad no wingers
young_boss
0
I'm not trolling nobody tho, but I don't man U will pass above 13,14th position this season, so far amorim is their head coach!!!
maebcdkmpy
0
I think he deserves to leave our club
frank jr8
maebcdkmpy
1
I think he deserves to leave our club
biyabemtuy
1
His tactics can't not match with these players
moodelprsz
0
Sink with your formation
Bekdiprsuy
0
4-2-3-1 FORMATION IS BEST LINEUPS TO MAN WITH THOSE SUPER STARS MAN UTD HAVE CURRENTLY
rimcdinor
1
bacbclruyz
3
all of u complaining about formation, is it nt the same formation he used at sporting and was very successful ? is it nt the same formation conte used at Chelsea that won him trophies and his still using ? u want the manager sack ? who would u want to replace him ? u all celebrated his appointment bw u want him out , the truth is that man United us nt good, Ferguson made united wt it is through hard work and cheat , u guts should face the truth give the manager time and build from scratch, that is ur level nw
JohnpaulSamuel999
1
Yes not the player but the formation I'm not the type that likes to condemn coach
KingCarrot
0
Amorim spent big money to bring in 3 forwards but still depended on Lord Maguire to rescue them in normal time. All hail Lord Maguire!
Davichi
1
Something has to change for sure. Starting from the useléss Glazers to the coach.
Sodbcenouy
0
all you have to say now is I have resign from this work
wimlmpru
0
pls resign
ducaeiluyz
0
Sack coach
Lizdklpsz
0
sack the manager
yaueilnpr
1
you are the reason why man u is losing! first of all, you don't have 1st lineup.. 2nd, we don't need 5 defenders is the mach! why always your concern is all about defending?
anurag2255
1
Hang ETH and entire staff who did the David de gea and Mctominay deals away from united and proceed a shoot at spot order to all thows clowns who found and said onana is a GK
Vowadeipru
1
yes and truly something has to change in man utd and that change is emphatically Ruben Amorim.
Sidabckmoz
0
I think it's time he should change he's formation it won't work
paubdeklt
0
He apologise every time but he hasn't changed his formation..... What is Sir Ratcliffe doing..???
Goodluckk
1
apologies accepted jare
Badhur
0
I thank God so much for not appointing this guy to be Liverpool coach
fashlomo
0
your tactics is boring and confusing too the players
Sauadlmptu
1
Either you change your stupid system or get sacked