🔗 Share this article Time is ripe to change Manchester United's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists. Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes was one of seven first-team stars absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle United. Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders. Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season. Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy. However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated. "We were trying to build an style. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up. "The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful. "When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager. "Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt. "This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively." Availability Challenges Loom Large Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well. He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves. That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury. "Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Role Remains However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight. "The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain. "There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed. "I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain." Recovery Timeline for Key Players Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes was one of seven first-team stars absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle United. Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders. Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season. Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy. However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated. "We were trying to build an style. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up. "The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful. "When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager. "Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt. "This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively." Availability Challenges Loom Large Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well. He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves. That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury. "Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Role Remains However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight. "The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain. "There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed. "I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain." Recovery Timeline for Key Players Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.