Time is right to change Man Utd's tactical setup - Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to play with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.

"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.

"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.

"We will grow into a better team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."

Injury Crisis Persist

Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.

He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.

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

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.

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

"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured 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 duty.