Time is right to switch Man Utd's formation - the manager insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.

Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.

"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.

"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.

"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.

"This will help us develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."

Squad Crisis Persist

With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.

He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Remains

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.