Now is right to alter Manchester United's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.

"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.

"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.

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

"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."

Availability Challenges Loom Large

Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return 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 quote me on that."

Fernandes' Role Endures

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.

"I don't know 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 return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.