🔗 Share this article The moment is ripe to switch Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim states. Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was among multiple first-team stars absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle. Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him. In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders. He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season. Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision. However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure. "When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said. "The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes. "The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters. "When you criticize altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager. "Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve. "This will help us develop into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match." Availability Issues Continue With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well. He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury. "Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that." Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance. "He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper. "There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see. "I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain." Return Timeline for Key Players Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes was among multiple first-team stars absent from the holiday period triumph against Newcastle. Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him. In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders. He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season. Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision. However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure. "When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said. "The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes. "The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters. "When you criticize altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager. "Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve. "This will help us develop into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match." Availability Issues Continue With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well. He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury. "Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that." Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance. "He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper. "There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see. "I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain." Return Timeline for Key Players Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.