The moment is right to change Manchester United's formation - Ruben Amorim declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.

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

Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.

However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.

"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.

"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.

"When you criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

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

"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."

Squad Challenges Persist

Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

Fernandes' Role Remains

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.

"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.