Time is ripe to change Man Utd's system - Amorim declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.

Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.

Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.

"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.

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

"When the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.

"This will help us develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."

Injury Issues Loom Large

Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.

He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."

Fernandes' Leadership Endures

However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.