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

Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are changing.

"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.

"Whenever the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.

"This will help us grow into a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."

Injury Issues Persist

With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players 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 anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."

Recovery Timeline for Key Players

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