Time is ripe to change Manchester United's formation - Ruben Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.

Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.

However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.

"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.

"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to evolve.

"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use a back three all the time."

Squad Challenges Continue

Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

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

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Key Players

Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.