The moment is right to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists.

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

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.

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

Although he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a different time. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.

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

"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to change.

"This will help us become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to use a back three all the time."

Squad Issues Persist

Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.

He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Influence Endures

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.