Time is right to change Man Utd's system - the manager declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.

"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.

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

"When media talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.

"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.

"We will grow into a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."

Availability Challenges Persist

Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow 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 duty.