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

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.

While he once memorably said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different formations has remained part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.

"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.

"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the fans.

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

"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.

"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."

Squad Issues Persist

Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.

He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel

Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.