Time is ripe to change Manchester United's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.

However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.

"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Now is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.

"When you criticize altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.

"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a better side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."

Squad Issues Continue

Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Personnel

While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.