Now is ripe to change Man Utd's formation - the manager insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied formations has always been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.

"Whenever you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.

"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.

"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."

Availability Crisis Loom Large

With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.

He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.

"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."

Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel

Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.