Time is optimal to change Manchester United's formation - the manager states.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.

"Whenever you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.

"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."

Squad Crisis Loom Large

Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.

"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Personnel

Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.