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

Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.

However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a different moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.

"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.

"When media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.

"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.

"This will help us grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."

Availability Issues Continue

Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off 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 match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.

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

"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.

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

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.