The moment is optimal to change Manchester United's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

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

Although he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.

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

"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.

"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.

"We will become a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."

Availability Issues Loom Large

Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are bad things at times - the way 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 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."

Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel

While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.