Now is optimal to alter Manchester United's system - Ruben Amorim insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once famously stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.

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

"Whenever you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot 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 performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to change.

"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."

Squad Challenges Persist

With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Endures

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.

"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.