Time is ripe to change Man Utd's formation - Ruben Amorim insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.

Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.

However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.

"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

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

"When the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.

"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."

Squad Challenges Continue

With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

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

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Players

Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.