Ruben Amorim’s revelation about the true timing of his formation change has shades of Sir Alex Ferguson

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Ruben Amorim finally caved in and changed formation at Manchester United. He had a reason for waiting so long.

It is too early to read too much into a one-game sample size. But after one match played with a back four, Ruben Amorim has a 100 per cent record.

The question being asked after Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle was ‘what took him so long?’

After 12 months of frustrating and at times painful results, Amorim may have found a new way forward.

It had appeared that his change was sparked by injuries and player absences due to AFCON – however, they may simply have provided him the right cover to make the switch.

If Amorim switches to a back four, which centre-backs get benched? De Ligt, Yoro, Heaven or Martinez? Decisions, decisions…

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Amorim explains timing of formation change

Ruben Amorim has been quizzed about his formation ever since he arrived at Manchester United.

But it was at this point last year, after a December that saw United lose a staggering five games, that the questions really started to pile up.

Could he compromise for short-term gain? Could there be a small tweak he could make to adjust the methods that worked in Portugal that were not working in England?

Amorim has now accepted that it was prudent to make a switch, but has explained he simply had to do it on his own terms.

He did so with United sitting in the top half of the Premier League table, pushing for Champions League places.

And a lot of the debate had died down, under the assumption that Amorim was so set in his way that he would never change.

He was happy to spring a surprise, and speaking at his press conference ahead of the Wolves fixture, he says he could not be seen to change due to media pressure.

Amorim explained: “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.”

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Amorim distrust of media has shades of Ferguson

Ruben Amorim is savvy enough to understand the power of the press, and the way they can make or break a manager.

He knows he must keep the media at arm’s length and not allow them to dictate the narratives around his team.

His attitude is similar to legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who would never be seen to make a tactical change just because the media called for it.

Amorim has been headstrong, some would say too headstrong, but his reasoning is sound. He knew that any change had to be on his own terms.

If Amorim had made the change before he truly had a connection with his players, or from a poor league position, they would have viewed him as a weak head coach. This would have created even more problems.

And there is a very good chance that instead of providing a long-lasting improvement, that the switch would have immediately backfired.

Amorim would have been skewered by the press he was trying to appease, and likely would have instantly reverted to his previous tactics.

Now he has the luxury of choice, after making the change at the right time, under the cover of an injury crisis and a respectable league position.

Amorim can plot the path forward now as he sees fit, completely on his own terms.