‘A lot of things you guys don’t see’ – Amorim explains why Fernandes is ‘a great leader’
Video credit: SNTV
Such a system has led to mixed results though, with 21 of his 61 games in charge of The Red Devils ending in defeat.
Instead of a back three, United fielded four defenders, abandoning their wing-back system for the first time.
Amorim says the time was right for a change, because of who he had available, saying: “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.
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‘Changing the system was interesting’ – Cole, Lescott on Amorim’s progress at Man Utd
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“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.”
Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation has been met with criticism from certain sections of the club’s fanbase, as well as former players.
But Amorim insists he could not allow the outside noise to affect his thinking.
“It is not because of the pressure of you guys (media), or the fans,” he continued as he addressed the switch against Newcastle.
“When you 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.”
United’s win over Newcastle means they sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, three points off the top four.
That is a considerable improvement on last season, when United finished 15th and lost the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham, missing out on qualifying for Europe for only the second time this century.
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‘We put everything on the line’ – Amorim admits Man U suffered during win against Newcastle
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Amorim will have to make do without Bruno Fernandes against Wolves, who he says has “no chance” of playing due to a muscle injury.
But he has revealed the influence the captain is having in and around the dressing room, despite being unavailable for selection.
“The guy is a leader,” he continued. “He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he’s not talking and speaking.
“He’s always speaking. That’s why he’s the captain. He has 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 to watch the other guys training. There is a lot of things you don’t see.
“I don’t know if he wants my job or not, but he’s a leader. The guy is a leader.”
When is Leeds v Man Utd?
Leeds will host United on Sunday, December 4, at Elland Road.
How to watch Leeds v Man Utd?
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