Time is ripe to change Man Utd's formation - Ruben Amorim states.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.

While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.

"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.

"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are changing.

"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.

"When the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.

"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.

"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."

Injury Issues Loom Large

Having only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Remains

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.

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

"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."

Return Timeline for Key Personnel

While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.