Man Utd defenders brutally told ‘good players can play in any system’ after struggling to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s back-three as former Red Devils star weighs in on Harry Maguire and Co.

Having enjoyed considerable success when fielding a back three at Sporting, Amorim made no secret of the fact that he would be bringing that blueprint with him when arriving at Old Trafford. Said system does, however, require specialist positions to be filled.

United have found out the hard way that adjusting to a new formation is never easy, with leaks springing in defence while struggling to generate a spark in the final third. Said difficulties have contributed to the Red Devils languishing 14th in the Premier League table.

Questions have been asked of whether Amorim is being too stubborn, with the Portuguese facing plenty of calls to change his approach – at least until he has taken in a full pre-season with his players and made more minor adjustments during the summer transfer window.

Quizzed on whether Plan A should have been ripped up by now, former United centre-half Gary Pallister – speaking in association with Norsk Poker – told GOAL: “If we were in real danger of being in a relegation battle, I would be surprised if he didn’t change it. You would have to go back to the four and the way the players have played most of their career at Manchester United. I think he knows we’re not going to get involved in a relegation battle. We’re 15 points clear of that.

“Fortunately he has got the leeway to stick with it. I would be concerned if he didn’t and we were in a relegation battle, I would be asking him to change it, but he wants to stick by his philosophies, by his guns – this is what has brought him success and what he believes can bring him success at Manchester United.

“It’s getting the players to believe and adapt, and get the players in that can play the system he wants to. I’ve got no issues with it at the moment. You have to look a couple of months into next season, by the time he has got a pre-season with the team, bring in the players he wants, the ones he’s going to keep believing in the system, and that’s when we will probably start to judge Ruben Amorim.”

Pressed further on whether United have the options at present to play with three central defenders, Pallister added: “[Lisandro] Martinez would probably give you balance in a three. He was coming back into some decent form before his injury – that’s been a problem. I think [Matthijs] de Ligt and [Harry] Maguire would prefer to play in the middle of the three, where it’s a little bit easier and you don’t get exposed to the width.

“Maybe he needs a centre-back with a little bit more pace that can play right centre-back – or [Leny] Yoro could fit in there because he’s got the pace.

“I believe good players can play in any system. Football is about contests between two players – the player you are up against and you win your battles. If you don’t win your battle, your team is going to struggle in that area of the pitch. I think they should all be able to adapt to play in a back five, personally.”

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United did acquire Danish youngster Patrick Dorgu in January, who is expected to fill one of the club’s wing-back roles, but funds for further additions may be in short supply – especially as the Red Devils are crying out for a goal-scoring No.9, and they never come cheap.