RUBEN AMORIM finally ditched his preferred 3-4-3 formation for Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle.
The Portuguese, 40, previously stuck dogmatically by his three-at-the-back system throughout his Old Trafford tenure.
But for the visit of the Toon, Amorim sprung a big surprise.
Prior to kick-off, it was suspected that United would line up with in their usual formation; with Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw in a back three, Diogo Dalot at right wing-back and Patrick Dorgu at left wing-back.
The Red Devils even warmed up in that shape prior to the match.
But when the contest began, it very quickly became apparent that Amorim had made a big change.
Dalot operated as an out-and-out right-back, with Shaw over on the left.
Heaven partnered Martinez in central defence, with Dorgu over on the right wing.
Dorgu, 21, did feature on the right flank for previous club Lecce – while he started his United debut against Leicester in that position… only to be hooked at half-time.
In response to United’s change up, Newcastle were accused of making a sneaky manoeuvre.
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Within the first 10 minutes of the match, Toon goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale went down for treatment.
In the meantime, Lewis Hall gave his team-mates instructions.
Commentating on the match for Sky Sports, Gary Neville said: “I’m going to be a little bit cynical, I might be wrong. But I think Eddie Howe told Lewis Hall to tell Ramsdale to go down.
“I think there’s a message going on and I think they’re changing off the back of what United are doing.
“Look at what Lewis Hall’s doing. I think Eddie Howe said ‘stop the game’. I might be cynical, but Lewis Hall’s turned into a coach all of a sudden.
“I think he might have said to the goalkeeper ‘stay down’ or ‘get down’ and ‘let’s just change things a little bit’. There you go it’s alright all of a sudden.
“I think Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall were having a good chinwag about what they wanted Newcastle to do and they’ve obviously got a message on that they’re going to slightly change things up a little bit.”
Newcastle subsequently went on to dominate possession over the next 10 minutes.
But it was United who struck first, through winger Dorgu.
After a long throw was not adequately cleared, the Italian rifled home a brilliant first time volley to score his first United goal.
‘WE NEED TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY’
Prior to the match, Amorim had hinted that he may have to make a change amid personnel difficulties.
United were without skipper Bruno Fernandes due to injury – as well as Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo at Afcon.
Speaking ahead of the contest, Amorim said: “I think in the future we can change also the system, we can play a different way to take more quality from these players.
“Because I have the feeling that if we have to play a perfect 3-4-3 we need to spend a lot of money, and we need time.
“So you are starting to understand that that is not going to happen, so maybe I have to adapt.”
Amorim had previously stated on multiple occasions that he would NOT change his formation.
The former Sporting boss even said in September: “No, no, no. No one. Not even the Pope will change it.
“This is my job. This is my responsibility. This is my life. So, I will not change that.”
