Now is ripe to change Man Utd's formation - Ruben Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the final phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.

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

"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are changing.

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

"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.

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

"This will help us develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."

Squad Challenges Continue

Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering guidance.

"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."

Return Timeline for Key Players

Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players 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.