Amorim says now is the right time to change Man Utd system to four at back

Ruben Amorim has finally changed his system at Manchester United to having four at the back as it is the right "moment".

The 40-year-old arrived at Old Trafford having enjoyed success at Sporting in Portugal by playing three at the back and with wing-backs.

And at United he tried to play the same way but the team struggled to adapt with many critics saying he does not have the footballers for the system.

He refused to change saying that the system wasn't the problem, but now with a long list of absentees he has adapted - and the results are improving.

“We don’t have a lot of players, we need to adapt, but they already know and understand why we are changing,” Amorim said of his players.

“It is not because of the pressure of you guys (in the media), or of the fans. It’s because now we understand the way we want to play and the principles are the same.

“We can change the system and I think we are going to become a better team because when the all the players return, we are not going to play all the time with three defenders. We are going to improve. But that was something that I was talking about.

“But when you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand that I’m changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.

“So, when we are playing well in our system, I think that is the moment to change if it’s the better thing to win the next game and that’s what we did.”

Against Newcastle on Boxing Day, United got a valuable 1-0 win at home where several players who have been struggling produced some of their best performances.

Dorgu produced a man of the match display in a new role on the right wing and got the winning goal. While also Manuel Ugarte looked far more solid in the centre of the pitch.