Now is right to change Man Utd's system - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.

"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

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

"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to evolve.

"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."

Squad Challenges Loom Large

Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable 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, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Endures

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. 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 Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.