The moment is right to alter Man Utd's formation - Amorim declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.

Although he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.

"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.

"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.

"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.

"We are going to become a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."

Squad Challenges Persist

Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.

He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Endures

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Key Players

While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.