Time is right to alter Manchester United's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.

"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.

"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.

"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.

"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.

"This will help us develop into a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."

Availability Issues Continue

Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.