🔗 Share this article Time is right to switch Man Utd's system - Amorim declares. Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes was one of multiple senior stars to miss the Boxing Day victory against Newcastle. Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders. He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the season. While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy. Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated. "Our aim was to build an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up. "This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters. "Whenever the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager. "Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve. "We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively." Injury Issues Persist With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form. He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers. That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem. "Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Influence Remains Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance. "The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain. "He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see. "I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain." Return Schedule for Injured Personnel While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes was one of multiple senior stars to miss the Boxing Day victory against Newcastle. Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders. He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the season. While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy. Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated. "Our aim was to build an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up. "This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters. "Whenever the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager. "Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve. "We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively." Injury Issues Persist With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form. He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers. That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem. "Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Influence Remains Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance. "The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain. "He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see. "I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain." Return Schedule for Injured Personnel While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.