Time is optimal to switch Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

Despite he once notably stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.

"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.

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

"When media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.

"We will develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."

Squad Challenges Persist

Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Role Endures

However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.

"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Personnel

Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.