Time is optimal to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once famously said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.

"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

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

"Whenever you criticize altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.

"When we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.

"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."

Squad Issues Loom Large

Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

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

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

"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.

"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.