Time is optimal to switch Man Utd's formation - Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.

In a first 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.

By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.

However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.

"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.

"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.

"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.

"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."

Injury Challenges Continue

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

He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

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

The Captain's Leadership Remains

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.

"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.