The moment is optimal to change Man Utd's system - the manager insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.

"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.

"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a different time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.

"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.

"Whenever you talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.

"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.

"We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."

Availability Issues Persist

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

He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

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

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.

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

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Key Players

While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.