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

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.

However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.

"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.

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

"When you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a better side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."

Squad Issues Loom Large

With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.

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

The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.

"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players 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 international duty.