The moment is right to switch Manchester United's formation - the manager insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied formations has always been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.

"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.

"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.

"When media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.

"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."

Injury Crisis Persist

Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Role Endures

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.

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

"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.