The moment is ripe to alter Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.

"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.

"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.

"We will grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."

Squad Issues Continue

With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

The Captain's Influence Endures

However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.