The moment is right to alter Man Utd's formation - the manager states.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.

However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.

"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.

"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.

"Whenever the press criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."

Availability Issues Loom Large

With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.

He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Bruno 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 quote me on that."

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.

"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Players

While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other 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.