The moment is optimal to switch Manchester United's system - Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.

"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a distinct time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.

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

"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.

"We will develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."

Injury Crisis Continue

Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

The Captain's Influence Endures

However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel

While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.