🔗 Share this article Time is right to alter Man Utd's formation - Ruben Amorim declares. Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes was among seven first-team players to miss the Boxing Day triumph against Newcastle United. Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders. Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season. While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision. However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise. "At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated. "We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes. "This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans. "When the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager. "Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change. "We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively." Availability Challenges Continue Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form. He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves. That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury. "Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that." Fernandes' Leadership Endures However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input. "The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain. "He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see. "I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader." Recovery Timeline for Injured Players While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes was among seven first-team players to miss the Boxing Day triumph against Newcastle United. Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him. Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders. Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season. While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision. However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise. "At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated. "We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes. "This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans. "When the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager. "Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change. "We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively." Availability Challenges Continue Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form. He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves. That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time. Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury. "Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that." Fernandes' Leadership Endures However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input. "The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain. "He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see. "I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader." Recovery Timeline for Injured Players While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.