Now is ripe to change Man Utd's tactical setup - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

While he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.

However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.

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

"Whenever media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.

"When we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.

"We will become a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."

Injury Issues Continue

With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.

He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable 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 urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.

"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

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

Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel

Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.