Ruben Amorim to change formation with a Bruno Fernandes switch? Fans vote on Manchester United decisions at Brentford
Published 26/09/2025 at 18:15 GMT+1
Manchester United are looking to secure back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time under Ruben Amorim when they face Brentford. The Red Devils edged past Chelsea at Old Trafford last week, and they can climb into the top five with a win in London. We gave fans the chance to make the decisions for Amorim ahead of the game. Here are the results of the vote.
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Manchester United will be hopeful of securing back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time under Ruben Amorim when they travel to Brentford on Saturday.
You can watch all the action from the Gtech Community Stadium, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The Red Devils claimed a much-needed win over Chelsea last week at Old Trafford in a chaotic game which involved two red cards in the first half.
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Despite a disappointing start to the campaign, United could climb into the top five with a win over Brentford before the rest of the weekend's action gets underway.
Ahead of their clash, TNT Sports decided to give supporters the opportunity to make the big decisions for Amorim.
Did United fans opt for a change to Amorim's 3-4-3 formation? Did they want to play club captain Bruno Fernandes further up the pitch? Check out the results below.
Debut between the sticks
One of the biggest changes that the supporters want to see is summer recruit Senne Lammens making his first appearance for the club.
The Red Devils signed the Belgian from Royal Antwerp for a reported fee of €21 million (£18.1m) before sanctioning a move for former No. 1 Andre Onana to leave the club on a season-long loan.
Lammens has sat on the bench for the last two games, but United fans believe it is the right time to give the 23-year-old a chance for their Brentford trip.
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The Belgium international earned a total of 56% of the vote to overcome competition from Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
Bayindir has played every minute in the Premier League so far this season, and has so far failed to keep a clean sheet in the process.
Fans are unlikely to get their wish so quickly as Amorim was adamant about who will be the No. 1 when he spoke to the media ahead of the Manchester derby.
"This week I hope to see Altay Bayindir doing well like Van der Sar," he said. "Then in the future, they have to fight for the places. We as a team can help the goalkeepers be better. We are doing that."
Shaw, Maguire earn spots at the back
Maybe these choices would have been different if fans were given the choice after the Manchester derby defeat, but Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have kept their places in the starting XI.
Maguire delivered a commanding performance in the win over Chelsea before he was substituted in the second half, while Shaw put on a solid display and even set up Casemiro for the winning goal.
Following the loss to bitter rivals Manchester City, TNT Sports expert Fara Williams wrote in her column that it might be time for the club to move on from Shaw.
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"In the wing-back area, he [Amorim] needs to find the best-suited player who can press up and be aggressive," she wrote.
"Looking at the back three, Luke Shaw has been given way too many chances and I think he’s way past his best."
However, supporters have voted to keep Shaw in the line-up with 54%, of fans voting yes to the question of whether the England international should start against Brentford.
Maguire was a more popular choice and earned 75% of the vote when fans were asked the same question.
Mainoo back in the fold
It was not too long ago that David Ornstein was speaking to TNT Sports before the end of the transfer window and confirming that Kobbie Mainoo was seeking a move away from Old Trafford.
The England international has failed to start a single league game so far this season and his lack of minutes led him to request a new challenge, but he stayed at the club after the window closed.
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United fans were delighted with Mainoo staying put at the time, and now they have spoken with their votes and want the midfielder to earn a starting role on the weekend.
Amorim will be unable to call upon Casemiro against Brentford after he was sent off in the win against Chelsea, so the Portuguese has the option of playing Mainoo from the start or opting for Manuel Ugarte.
There is no argument among fans about who deserves a spot in the starting XI: 77% of them voted for Mainoo to replace the Brazilian in the midfield. But who should start alongside him?
A change for Fernandes
There has been much debate over Bruno Fernandes' position for Man Utd this season, with Amorim opting to start the club captain in a two-man midfield.
The decision has led to the Portugal international suffering defensive lapses in the 1-1 draw to Fulham and the 3-0 defeat against Man City.
However, TNT Sports' Pete Sharland has revealed that Fernandes' deeper role might not be the biggest issue for United, with the player still flexing his creative muscles this term.
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But United fans appear fed up with their most creative player moving away from his natural position, and 76% voted that Fernandes should play in a more advanced role against the Bees.
Amad Diallo will be unavailable to face Brentford due to a family bereavement, while Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount are still building up their own fitness following injuries before the previous international break.
Could this be the perfect time for Amorim to select Fernandes in one of the No. 10 roles alongside Bryan Mbeumo, with Mainoo and Ugarte the favoured midfielders ahead of the back three?
No more 3-4-3?
Look away now, Ruben Amorim!
United fans have voted for the Portuguese to go against his principles and change his favoured 3-4-3 formation for the trip to Brentford this weekend.
It is a formation that Amorim has deployed during his managerial career and helped him enjoy great success at Sporting, where he won two league titles.
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However, United have failed to hit the heights with Amorim persisting with the formation, and it is incredible that they have not managed to win consecutive games in the league so far.
That might be the reason why 62% of the voters wanted the Portuguese to switch up his tactics on Saturday.
Judging by Amorim's comments ahead of the Chelsea game, United fans are more than likely to see this formation throughout his tenure at Old Trafford.
"No one, not even the Pope will change [my system]," Amorim said. "This is my job, this is my responsibility, this is my life - so, I will not change that.
"I'm doing things my way. I hope to have the time to change but it will be an evolution."
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