Time is right to switch Man Utd's system - Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.

While he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different formations has always been part of his strategy.

However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.

"The goal was to build an style. Today is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.

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

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

"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.

"This will help us become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."

Injury Challenges Loom Large

Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.

He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

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

"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Remains

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.

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

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad 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."

Return Timeline for Key Players

Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.