Time Is Right To Change Man Utd Formation – Amorim

Head coach Ruben Amorim said if he had changed Manchester United’s formation because of media pressure it would have been “the end” for him.
Amorim moved away from a back three with wing-backs for the first time against Newcastle United and instead fielded an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission that became a back six in the final stages as his side held on for victory – and only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he memorably once said not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim says the ability to play with different formations has always been his plan.
However he says he could only make the switch when his side were doing sufficiently well – otherwise it would look like he was bowing to external noise.
“When I came here last season, I understood maybe I don’t have the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process,” he said.
“We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We don’t have a lot of players, and we need to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
“It is not because of the pressure of you guys [media], or the fans.
“When you [media] talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I’m changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
“When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
“We are going to become a better team because when all the players return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time.”
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.