Man Utd stars losing faith in Ruben Amorim as pressure mounts on under-fire manager after humiliating City defeat

MANCHESTER UNITED stars are losing faith in Ruben Amorim.

But the club's hierarchy are still behind the under-fire manager despite another disastrous day in the derby.

It is understood some of his players are not sold on the controversial three at the back system which the boss insists on.

The Red Devils were thumped 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s City at the Etihad – meaning they have just four points from four matches.

That is their worst start to a Prem season since 1992 and they also crashed out of the Carabao Cup to League Two Grimsby last month.

Amorim said afterwards he will not change his 3-4-2-1 formation – despite concerns it is not working.

He added the United top brass will have to replace him if they do not feel it is the best way forward.

The club’s leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney revealed he watched the game with some former team-mates.

And none of them could understand the way United were trying to play – with the ex England forward adding they have got worse under Amorim.

Some of the current crop are understood to have the same concerns – although the board are unlikely to ask him to change.

They remain calm and behind the former Sporting Lisbon boss as well as being willing to give him time to get things right.

Part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pictured with his head in his hands during a difficult day at the Etihad.

The Ineos magnate sanctioned a £220million summer spending spree for Amorim over the summer.

And sacking the 40-year-old Portuguese now would just mean another rebuild is needed.

But speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, the former striker said: “We are all watching it, and we all struggled to give what we see how Man Utd play.

“What are the patterns? What are we seeing what might improve the team moving forward?

“Everyone struggled to answer the questions - we have all played the game at the highest level and it is very difficult to see that.

“I don’t think anyone can understand and comprehend what is going on.

“After the last year when Erik 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.”

Amorim has taken just 31 points from the 31 matches since taking charge at Old Trafford in mid-November – losing 16 of them.

That is the lowest points tally of any of the 17 clubs who have been in the top flight across both seasons.

They finished 15th last season and their Europa League final defeat to Spurs means there is no European football for only the second time since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Amorim knows the pressure will continue while the results are not coming.

He said: “It is not a record you should have at Manchester United. You have no diea happened during these months – there are a lot of things.

“But I accept it and I am not going to change.

“When I want to change my philosophy, I will change it. If not you have to change the man.

“I believe in my way and I wil play my way until I want to change.”

The Red Devils have another tough fixture looming with world champions Chelsea arriving at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

United last night denied the squad had lost confidence in Amorim - and believe he still had the backing of the players.