Time is optimal to alter Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.

"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.

"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.

"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.

"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to change.

"We will become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."

Availability Challenges Persist

Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.

He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Leadership Endures

However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.