The moment is right to alter Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.

Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.

"We were trying to build an style. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.

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

"Whenever the press discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to evolve.

"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."

Squad Crisis Loom Large

With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.

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

Fernandes' Role Endures

However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.

"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.