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

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.

Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.

However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he stated.

"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

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

"When media talk about changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.

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

"We will grow into a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."

Squad Crisis Loom Large

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

He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced 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 understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Role Remains

However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel

While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.