🔗 Share this article Now is ripe to alter Manchester United's system - the manager declares. Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes was among seven senior players to miss the Boxing Day victory against Newcastle United. Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him. For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders. Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign. While he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan. Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise. "When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented. "We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up. "It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans. "Whenever media discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager. "When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve. "We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders all the time." Injury Issues Loom Large With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form. He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves. That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury. "Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive." Fernandes' Role Remains Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input. "The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain. "There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed. "I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader." Recovery Timeline for Key Players Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes was among seven senior players to miss the Boxing Day victory against Newcastle United. Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him. For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders. Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign. While he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan. Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise. "When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented. "We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up. "It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans. "Whenever media discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager. "When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve. "We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders all the time." Injury Issues Loom Large With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form. He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves. That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time. Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury. "Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive." Fernandes' Role Remains Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game. Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input. "The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain. "There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed. "I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader." Recovery Timeline for Key Players Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.