The moment is ripe to change Man Utd's tactical setup - Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.

"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.

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

"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.

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

"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use a back three all the time."

Injury Issues Loom Large

Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.