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

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.

"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.

"Whenever you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.

"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."

Injury Crisis Loom Large

With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.

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

That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Personnel

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, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.