Time is ripe to change Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with varied formations has remained part of his plan.

Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.

"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.

"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.

"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."

Availability Issues Loom Large

Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.

"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 always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Timeline for Key Players

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