Time is right to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.

However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.

"The goal was to build an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.

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

"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.

"We will develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."

Injury Issues Continue

Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.