🔗 Share this article The moment is right to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim declares. Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was among multiple first-team stars to miss the Boxing Day triumph against Newcastle. Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him. In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders. By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign. Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different formations has always been part of his long-term vision. Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism. "At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented. "Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing. "This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters. "Whenever the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach. "Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt. "This will help us become a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match." Injury Crisis Persist With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form. He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval. Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury. "Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive." Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight. "The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper. "There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed. "I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain." Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was among multiple first-team stars to miss the Boxing Day triumph against Newcastle. Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him. In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders. By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign. Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different formations has always been part of his long-term vision. Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism. "At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented. "Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing. "This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters. "Whenever the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach. "Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt. "This will help us become a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match." Injury Crisis Persist With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form. He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval. Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury. "Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive." Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight. "The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper. "There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed. "I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain." Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.