Time is right to change Manchester United's formation - the manager declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.

"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.

"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.

"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.

"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."

Injury Challenges Continue

With only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.

"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."

Return Timeline for Key Players

Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.