Time is right to alter Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim insists.
Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot 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.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things 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 Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
