Bruno Fernandes has already been pushing to return to training, according to Ruben Amorim, but will not be ready to play for Manchester United against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fernandes was replaced at half-time of United’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa earlier this month with what Amorim described as a “soft tissue” injury.

The United captain, who had previously missed just three games through either illness or injury during his six-year spell at Old Trafford, is only expected to return in January.

Amorim does not expect any of United’s four injured absentees —Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt — to be available against Wolves. Mason Mount is also a doubt after coming off injured during Friday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United.

“I don’t know how Mase is going to be for that (Wolves) game,” Amorim said. “I think Kobbie Mainoo is not going to be ready. Bruno is not going to be ready. I think Matt is not going to be ready. Harry is not going to be ready. So, I think we are not going to have more players.”

When asked about their potential availability away to Leeds United on 4 January, Amorim added: “Bruno was already saying that he needs to train, but we don’t know.

“No chance he is going to play against Wolves, no chance. You can write that.

“Kobbie Mainoo is going to start on the pitch also, so we will see (for Leeds). Matthijs is struggling a little bit. Harry, the same thing, so I don’t expect to have the players for this game (against Wolves). For the other game, I don’t know.”

Amorim’s squad depth has been tested lately due to injuries and the absences of Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui, who are competing for Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Morocco respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.

De Ligt and Maguire will be absent when United face Wolves on Tuesday (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The United head coach has adapted his usual 3-4-3 system as a result, playing left wing-back Patrick Dorgu as a right winger against Newcastle in a clear 4-2-3-1 shape, with Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven as his centre-back pairing.

Speaking after Friday’s 1-0 win, Amorim suggested that United could continue to play with a back four even once other players return from injury and international duty over the coming weeks.

“First of all, it’s a process. When I came here in last season, I understood that maybe I don’t have the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of the process. We are trying to build an identity.

“Today is a different moment. We don’t have a lot of players and we need to adapt, but they already know and understand why we are changing. It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or of the fans, it’s because now we understand the way we want to play and the principles are the same.