The moment is optimal to switch Manchester United's formation - the manager declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.

While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different formations has always been part of his plan.

However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.

"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.

"Whenever the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.

"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.

"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."

Squad Issues Persist

With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.

He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."

The Captain's Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.

"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.