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Ruben Amorim insisted that the change That of Manchester United The system due to external pressures allegedly undermined his authority, admitting that it would have been “the end” for him as head coach.
The Portuguese coach ditched his favored back three with wingers for the first time in the win over Newcastle, opting instead for a more traditional four-man defense supported by two holding midfielders.
Amorim admitted the shape became increasingly defensive towards the end as United protected their lead, effectively falling into a back six as they secured only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he previously said that even the pope could not persuade him to abandon his system, he stressed that tactical flexibility was always part of his long-term thinking, but that any changes had to come at the right time.
“When I came here last season, I realized that maybe I didn’t have the players to play well in this system, but it was the start of a process,” he said.
“We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different time. We don’t have many players and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
“It’s not because of your pressure, guys [media]or the fans.
“When you [media] Talk about changing the system all the time, I can’t change because the players will understand that I’m changing because of you and I think that’s the end for the manager.
“When we play well in our system, it’s time to change.
“We are going to become a better team because when all the players come back, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time.”
United’s form before the Newcastle win, which brought just two wins in eight matches, means Amorim’s claim that the team were playing well could be debated.
He has, however, been forced to work with an extended squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
This list could grow even longer if Mason Mount fails to recover from the injury that saw him withdraw at half-time against Newcastle.
Captain Bruno Fernandes will definitely miss the Wolves game despite his efforts to return after suffering a hamstring problem in the Wolves game. Premier League defeat at Aston Villa on December 21.
“Bruno already says he has to train,” Amorim said. “But there’s no chance he plays against Wolves. No chance. You can write that.”
Even if he is sidelined, Fernandes is expected to remain closely involved. He was seen watching the warm-up from the tunnel area before the Newcastle game, rather than from a box, and Amorim believes the influence is part of his leadership role.
“This guy is a leader,” he said. “He can’t be that guy who, when he’s not playing, doesn’t talk and doesn’t talk. He’s always talking. That’s why he’s captain.
“He has some bad things sometimes – the way he moves his arms – but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers after games, or even after treatment, he goes and watches the other guys train. There are a lot of things you don’t see.
“I don’t know if he wants my job or not, but he’s a leader. This guy is a leader.”
