Now is ripe to change Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.

While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.

"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.

"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.

"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.

"We will develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three all the time."

Squad Challenges Loom Large

Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.

He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.

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

"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."

Return Schedule for Injured Players

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