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

Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.

However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.

"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.

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

"When you discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to change.

"This will help us become a better side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."

Squad Crisis Loom Large

Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.

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

That number will increase 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, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.

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

The Captain's Role Remains

However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.

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

"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.