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

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.

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

"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.

"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.

"Whenever you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.

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

"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."

Injury Crisis Continue

Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.

He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.

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

"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Players

While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.