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Ruben Amorim has pledged to stick with using Bruno Fernandes in a midfield position, despite it not playing to the strengths of the Manchester United captain. Despite Fernandes' best form for United coming from a more advanced and attacking role, Amorim has utilised him as a deeper-lying midfielder. The manager's steadfast adherence to his 3-4-3 system, coupled with the summer signings of forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, has seen Fernandes - who the manager admits is frustrated with the Red Devils' struggles this season - pushed into a role that doesn't suit him.

For Saturday night's clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford, Amorim will continue with Fernandes in the deeper role, arguing that it allows United greater control of possession during matches. "Of course, Bruno wants all the freedom in the world," said Amorim. "But even when he plays in a No.10 role, he's getting the ball back.

"Maybe he's not having the same freedom to get inside the box, but he's getting there and he's near the box and he can do his shots. I think it's a position that I want Bruno more deep, to have more possession, to try to control the game more - and we're doing that.

"Sometimes we miss a little bit Bruno in front, maybe because Matheus Cunha was not there. But if Cunha is there, we have one extra player. So I'm trying just to balance the team and trying to imagine the game, and we'll try to put the best starting line-up there.

"But I see Bruno well. He's frustrated because he's not winning games. Sometimes he likes to go further forward, but he has a The job is not done yet. And the important thing is not Bruno playing well. It's the team playing well and winning football games - and he can play in different positions."

United, who ended up 15th last season, have only managed to secure four points from their first four matches this season, leaving them in 14th place in the league table, and have already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two Grimsby.

When questioned about why United are still struggling this season, despite a summer spend of £236million and a full pre-season under him, Amorim responded: "I think it's everything. It's belief. It's confidence. It's aggression. It's everything. But even when he plays in a No.10 role, he's getting the ball back.

"And sometimes, what we call luck is the way you can play the game with more belief. Liverpool are winning all the games. It's something about the teams that are winning that something is going to happen, to have that feeling.

"Sometimes, with us, I feel the opposite. We're playing well, but something is going to go wrong in some moments. So we need to change that, but it's just with wins. But, if you look at the goals against City, Fulham, all these moments, we scored against Burnley.

"We are good in the game and then we take a draw [or lose]. All these moments, I think we can do better. It's our fault. So we work on that during the week to improve for the next game."

Altay Bayindir started in goal for United's 3-0 derby defeat at Manchester City last weekend, ahead of new signing Senne Lammens. But Amorim has warned both goalkeepers that they will have to fight it out for the No.1 spot this season.

"Nobody has a place that is his place," said Amorim. "Everyone has to fight. Everyone is fighting for a place. I'm just trying to win games, trying to see what the best option is to win the next game. At the end of the season, maybe it's a different team on the pitch.

"We're just trying to win games, trying to get the best connections to play better and, in the end, to win points. The opponents don't have the same amount of opportunities as last season. But in the end, if you don't win, it doesn't matter. So I think it's something mental and we need to change."