The moment is ripe to switch Man Utd's tactical setup - Amorim insists.

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

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.

"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.

"When you talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."

Injury Challenges Loom Large

With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.

He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Endures

However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch 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 natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel

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