🔗 Share this article The moment is optimal to alter Man Utd's formation - the manager insists. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was one of multiple first-team stars absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle United. Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him. In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders. By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign. While he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan. Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said. "Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up. "This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful. "Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach. "When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve. "We are going to develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time." Injury Issues Continue With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well. He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves. That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock 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 match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury. "Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive." Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance. "He is a natural 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 constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper. "There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see. "I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader." Return Schedule for Injured Personnel Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was one of multiple first-team stars absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle United. Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him. In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders. By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign. While he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan. Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise. "At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said. "Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up. "This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful. "Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach. "When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve. "We are going to develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time." Injury Issues Continue With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well. He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves. That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock 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 match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury. "Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive." Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance. "He is a natural 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 constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper. "There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see. "I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader." Return Schedule for Injured Personnel Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.