Now is ripe to switch Manchester United's system - Ruben Amorim states.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.

While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.

"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.

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

"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.

"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.

"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."

Squad Crisis Continue

Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Endures

However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things 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 Key Players

Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.