🔗 Share this article Time is right to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - the manager insists. Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was one of multiple senior players absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle. Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders. By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season. While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision. Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure. "At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said. "We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes. "The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters. "Whenever you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach. "Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt. "This will help us grow into a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively." Injury Challenges Persist With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form. He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem. "Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that." Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance. "He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain. "There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things 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 timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was one of multiple senior players absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle. Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders. By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season. While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision. Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure. "At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said. "We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes. "The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters. "Whenever you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach. "Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt. "This will help us grow into a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively." Injury Challenges Persist With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form. He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem. "Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that." Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance. "He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain. "There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things 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 timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.