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<\/p>\nRuben Amorim has hinted at tensions behind the scenes at Manchester United relating to his 3-4-3 formation and an inability to sign the players his preferred system requires.<\/p>\n
While previewing Sunday\u2019s Premier League trip to Leeds United at his pre-match press conference, Amorim refused to elaborate on his recent comments about how United must spend \u201ca lot of money\u201d to play a \u201cperfect\u201d version of his 3-4-3 shape, and that he was beginning to understand that he had to \u201cadapt\u201d his methods.<\/p>\n
Amorim subsequently deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation in United\u2019s following game \u2014 Boxing Day\u2019s 1-0 win over Newcastle United \u2014 before reverting to the 3-4-3 shape for Tuesday\u2019s 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
Jason Wilcox, United\u2019s director of football, speaks daily with Amorim and the pair have held discussions on the formation in the past. Wilcox is known to like the 4-3-3 that brought Manchester City dominance.<\/p>\n
When asked on Friday to clarify what he meant by his pre-Newcastle comments and why he had not realised those limitations in implementing a 3-4-3 earlier, Amorim said: \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about that. I just focus on the Leeds game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United head coach agreed that it was unlike him to refuse to answer a question, but insisted that he does not regret his pre-Newcastle remarks.<\/p>\n
When asked if something had changed with regards to United\u2019s transfer budget or if he had spoken to Wilcox, Amorim reiterated: \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about that. You are very smart.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n Amorim\u2019s side played with a back four during December\u2019s victory over Newcastle (Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Amorim had earlier sounded pessimistic about United\u2019s chances of reinforcing their squad during the January transfer window, telling reporters that no conversations are currently taking place to make changes to the squad, on either an incoming or outgoing basis.<\/p>\n
United have held a strong interest in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who was considered as an option for Amorim\u2019s No 10 positions during the summer, and whose contract includes a \u00a365million, time-sensitive release clause which is currently active, but his preferred destination is Manchester City<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before the 25-year-old\u2019s preference for City emerging, Amorim claimed it is \u201cpossible that (United) can do something\u201d in the January market. Club sources have previously suggested that any incoming business in January would focus on accelerating moves for long-term targets, rather than filling short-term gaps in the squad.<\/p>\n