The moment is ripe to change Manchester United's system - the manager insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.

"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.

"When the press talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a better side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."

Availability Challenges Persist

Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.

He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."

The Captain's Role Remains

However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.

"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."

Return Timeline for Key Personnel

While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.