The moment is right to change Man Utd's system - the manager states.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the final stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.

However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.

"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.

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

"Whenever media criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.

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

"This will help us grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."

Availability Challenges Continue

With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.

He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.

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

The Captain's Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.

"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.

"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."

Return Schedule for Key Players

Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.