Time is right to change Man Utd's system - Amorim states.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.

However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.

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

"When the press criticize changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to change.

"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."

Squad Issues Persist

With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

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

"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.

"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Key Players

Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.