Time is right to alter Man Utd's formation - Ruben Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four with two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.

"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.

"Whenever media criticize changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.

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

"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."

Availability Challenges Continue

Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.

He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.

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

Fernandes' Role Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.

"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.