The moment is optimal to change Manchester United's formation - the manager insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.

"When the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.

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

"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."

Injury Issues Continue

With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.

He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.

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

The Captain's Leadership Endures

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. 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. The guy is a leader."

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.