The moment is optimal to change Manchester United's system - Ruben Amorim states.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.

However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.

"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.

"When media talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.

"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.

"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."

Injury Crisis Persist

Having just two wins 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, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

The Captain's Influence Endures

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.