The moment is right to switch Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.

Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.

"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.

"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.

"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.

"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when all the players return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."

Availability Crisis Persist

With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.

He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

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