Now is optimal to change Man Utd's system - the manager states.

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

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.

"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.

"When media discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.

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

"We are going to become a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."

Availability Challenges Persist

Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Leadership Endures

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.

"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Personnel

While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.