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

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.

"When you criticize altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.

"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.

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

Availability Crisis Loom Large

Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.

He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads 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 born leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.