Now is optimal to alter Man Utd's formation - the manager declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.

"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.

"Whenever you talk about changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.

"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.

"This will help us grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."

Injury Issues Continue

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

He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Influence Endures

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.

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

"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, 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 position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."

Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel

Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.