The moment is right to alter Man Utd's formation - Ruben Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the latter phase as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.

While he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.

"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.

"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.

"Whenever you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.

"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."

Squad Challenges Persist

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

He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.

"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players 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 international competition.