Ruben's baptism of ire

RUBEN AMORIM doubled down on his controversial system and said not even the Pope could get the Manchester United head coach to change his formation right now.

- David McDonnell

Amorim, right, has been criticised for his refusal to switch from his rigid 3-4-3 formation, which has yielded from 31 Premier League games since he took charge 10 months ago.

United, who finished 15th last season, their lowest place for 51 years, have just four points from as many games this term and have already been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby.

Amorim had a summit meeting this week with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, to assess the team's poor form.