The moment is right to switch Man Utd's formation - Amorim declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.

While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.

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

"When you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.

"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.

"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."

Availability Issues Continue

With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.

He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.

"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Players

While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.