🔗 Share this article Time is optimal to change Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim states. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was among seven senior stars to miss the Boxing Day victory against Newcastle. Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders. By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign. Although he once notably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy. Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure. "When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated. "Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing. "This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful. "When you discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager. "Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change. "We will grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match." Squad Issues Persist With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well. He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury. "Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Role Remains Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input. "He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain. "He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed. "I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain." Return Schedule for Key Personnel Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was among seven senior stars to miss the Boxing Day victory against Newcastle. Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders. By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign. Although he once notably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy. Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure. "When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated. "Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing. "This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful. "When you discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager. "Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change. "We will grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match." Squad Issues Persist With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well. He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury. "Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that." The Captain's Role Remains Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input. "He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain. "He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed. "I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain." Return Schedule for Key Personnel Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.