Now is right to change Man Utd's system - Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.

While he once notably said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has consistently been part of his plan.

However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.

"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are making changes.

"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.

"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.

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

"We will become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."

Injury Issues Loom Large

Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

Fernandes' Role Endures

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing insight.

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

"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured 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 continental duty.