Now is right to alter Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.

"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.

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

"When the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.

"This will help us become a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."

Availability Challenges Loom Large

Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.

He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable 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 match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

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

"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.