Time is right to alter Manchester United's tactical setup - the manager declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.

While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy.

However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.

"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.

"Whenever media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.

"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.

"We will grow into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."

Availability Challenges Persist

With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.

He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Personnel

Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.