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

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.

Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

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

"Whenever media talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.

"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."

Squad Challenges Continue

With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.

He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

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

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.