Manager Ruben Amorim has said the days of Manchester United playing only a back three are over and he has refrained from changing formations too early to avoid making his players feel like they are bowing to media pressure.
“But when you guys (journalists) are always talking about changing the system, I can’t change because the players will understand that I am changing because of you,” Amorim said.
Amorim started in the back four for the first time as United’s head coach against Newcastle on Boxing Day, after the team had shown signs of greater flexibility in games in recent weeks, but were without several key players due to injury and the African Cup of Nations.
The 40-year-old has remained defiant in the face of harsh criticism for his unwillingness to change formation amid the team’s disappointing 15th place finish in the league last season, insisting he would only change at times of his choosing, even if it meant sacrificing his job.
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Amorim, who oversaw the improvement this season, admits that recruiting players has been a bit of a stretch, but believes the team understands his philosophy and is now ready for a change.
“When we came here last season, we understood that we probably didn’t have the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process,” Amorim said live on Sky Sports ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League game against Wolves.
“We are trying to establish our identity. Today is a different moment. We have fewer players, so we have to adapt, but I can already see that they understand why we are changing.”
“It’s not because of the pressure from you (journalists) or the fans. It’s because now we know how we want to play and the principles are the same. We can change the system.”
“I think we’re going to be a better team because once we get all the players back, we’re not going to play three defenders all the time. We’re going to improve. That was what I was talking about.”
“But when you guys (journalists) are always talking about changing the system, I can’t change because the players will understand that I’m changing because of you. I think that’s the end of the coach.”
“When you’re playing well in your system and it’s better to win the next game, I think it’s time for a change. That’s what we did (against Newcastle).”
Analysis: Adaptability or embarrassing setbacks?
Sky Sports’ Adam Bate…
Eyebrows were certainly raised across the room when Amorim explained that his previous reluctance to change formations was due to concerns that Manchester United players would be seen as bowing to media pressure.
Given that Amorim’s unflinching honesty has been as consistent as his commitment to a 3-4-3 formation, there is little reason to doubt the sincerity of his comments, only the logic behind them. If he was always going to adapt, why now? Why not sooner?
His argument was that the priority was to allow players to thoroughly understand the system and perfect it before expanding their repertoire. However, the results were not great enough to convince us that this was the case. And he had time.
Given that the squad has been depleted by absences and increased in numbers by a more demanding fixture list, it may explain why Boxing Day’s game against Newcastle was the perfect moment. But you need a goldfish memory to find many other goldfish without looking back.
What about August, when Mason Mount slotted in at left wing-back for Grimsby? What about the defeat against Brentford in September, when Mount played in the same position? Gary Neville described the decision at the time as “absolutely ridiculous”.
Neville told Sky Sports: “You have to stick to your plan and not reverse the players and his ideas. That can sometimes undermine what you’re trying to achieve.” “But when you put Mason Mount at left wing-back… it starts to look terrible.”
United lost in the European final in May, but Amorim was so fixated on his formation that he replaced comparable players as his team looked to not only win the trophy, but the transformative Champions League qualification that victory would bring.
Not only was there no time to prepare for pre-season due to the lack of European football, but Grimsby’s departure meant United had a particularly light schedule. That time was spent training in different systems, while the formation change took until Christmas.
With the top four within three points, Amorim’s belated flexibility could be seen as a masterstroke and an example of his patient evolution in this team. But a year after claiming his formation was non-negotiable, the decision remains strange.
