The moment is optimal to change Man Utd's formation - the manager states.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.

"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.

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

"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.

"This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."

Squad Issues Loom Large

With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.

He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.

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

Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.

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

"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."

Return Timeline for Injured Personnel

While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.