The moment is ripe to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.

"The goal was to build an style. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.

"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.

"When you talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.

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

"This will help us become a more complete team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."

Availability Challenges Loom Large

With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering insight.

"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 speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads 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. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.