Ruben Amorim is finally tearing up the “narratives” that have been written about Manchester United and his approach towards two players at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager has overseen a turnaround in the 2025-26 Premier League season after his future at the club was plunged into doubt.
Ruben Amorim felt immense pressure on his shoulders after United’s shaky start to the new campaign at Old Trafford and the lack of consistency under his reign.
However, United appear to have turned over a new leaf and the Red Devils have picked up three consecutive Premier League wins under Amorim this season.
The Red Devils defeated Sunderland at Old Trafford before United beat Liverpool at Anfield, with Amorim’s men now picking up their latest league win against Brighton.
What did Ruben Amorim say about the ‘Man Utd narratives’ and who was it aimed at?
Manchester United lost to rivals Manchester City in a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad in September and Ruben Amorim’s tactical system was thrust again into the spotlight.
The Red Devils were comfortably beaten in the first Manchester derby of the season and United’s midfield pivot appeared fragile in Amorim’s set-up against City.
Bruno Fernandes has dropped into a deeper role in the Red Devils’ midfield in the 2025-26 campaign and Casemiro has partnered alongside the United captain.
Speaking after United’s defeat to City, Amorim insisted that the Red Devils’ poor run of form at the time and the results against them were influencing the ‘narrative.’
“Guys, I understand how football is,” he said in September, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“The results will dictate all the narratives. Against Arsenal, who is playing against Arsenal? Do you think we play well? Do you think we are the better team?
“Do you think that [Martin] Odegaard, [Declan] Rice and [Martin] Zubimendi are three top midfielders?
“They play with three. We play with two. One was Casemiro, the other was Bruno.
“Sometimes it is the dynamic of the team. Sometimes it is an opportunity that you score. I see it that way. I know that it is really hard for people [to understand].
“The fans don’t want to hear me saying these things. I know that they are not going to listen to nothing and be upset. With that, I cannot do nothing.”
Ruben Amorim’s approach with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes vs Brighton shows how quickly the Man Utd narrative changes
Bruno Fernandes’ influence has been creeping up since adapting to the new demands of Amorim in the two-man midfield pivot for the Red Devils.
Casemiro was able to re-establish himself under Amorim last season and the 33-year-old Brazilian midfielder is holding his own alongside Fernandes in the pivot.
However, United’s 4-2 win over Brighton at Old Trafford showed how quickly the narrative can change around Amorim’s system and the Red Devils’ midfield.
Amorim has been tweaking his tactics ever so slightly, including Luke Shaw stepping into the United midfield to support Fernandes and Casemiro against Brighton.
The Fernandes and Casemiro partnership will continue to face bigger tests this season, but Amorim’s point has been proven right about narratives on the weekend.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
