🔗 Share this article Time is right to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - the manager insists. Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes was among seven senior players to miss the holiday period win against Newcastle. Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders. By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign. Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy. Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he stated. "Our aim was to build an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are changing. "This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful. "When you talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach. "Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve. "We are going to become a better side because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time." Injury Challenges Continue Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well. He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves. That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem. "Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Leadership Endures However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input. "He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper. "He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. 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. He is a true captain." Return Schedule for Key Players While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes was among seven senior players to miss the holiday period win against Newcastle. Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders. By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign. Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy. Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he stated. "Our aim was to build an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are changing. "This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful. "When you talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach. "Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve. "We are going to become a better side because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time." Injury Challenges Continue Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well. He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves. That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem. "Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Leadership Endures However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input. "He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper. "He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. 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. He is a true captain." Return Schedule for Key Players While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.