Back three returned for Wolves style

RUBEN Amorim went back to his favoured back-three system for United's Premier League clash with Wolves to try and counter the approach from the Premier League's basement boys.

- By TYRONE MARSHALL

Amorim finally reverted a back four against Newcastle on Boxing Day and saw his side win 1-0, with a much more fluent attacking performance in the first half. But with winless Wolves at Old Trafford, he opted for a safety-first approach and sought to match Wolves' system.

The Reds were missing eight players through injuries or international call-ups, but produced a flat performance against a team that had taken just two points from their first 18 Premier League games of the season.

Joshua Zirkzee's deflected shot gave them the lead, but Ladislav Krejci equalised before halftime and the visitors came closest to winning the game.

Amorim admitted his change in system was based on his evaluation of Wolves and that he moved Patrick Dorgu back to wing-back to try and take advantage of that.

"We knew that they will play with a five, use the width, today was to do that and sometimes build up with him [Dorgu] open or close with Luke doing the opposite, we try to arrange the right situations," said Amorim.

It didn't work and although United were missing key players in Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Amad, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo, Amorim refused to use those absences as an excuse, but admitted he knew why his side had struggled.

"That is normal but we didn't use that excuse against Newcastle, we are not going to use it today," he said.

"But of course if you see the game I understand why we play the way we play today.