Time is optimal to switch Man Utd's formation - the manager states.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.

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

While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.

Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.

"We were trying to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

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

"Whenever the press talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.

"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt.

"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."

Squad Issues Continue

Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.

He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Influence Remains

However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.

"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Personnel

Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.