Now is ripe to change Man Utd's formation - the manager declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Although he once famously remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.

However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.

"Our aim was to build an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.

"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.

"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.

"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."

Availability Challenges Persist

With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.

"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 Players

While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.