The moment is ripe to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.

While he once notably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.

"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.

"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are changing.

"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.

"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to change.

"We will become a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."

Injury Crisis Continue

Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

The Captain's Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.