The moment is ripe to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the final phase as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Although he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different formations has remained part of his plan.

However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.

"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are changing.

"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.

"When media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.

"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.

"We will grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."

Squad Challenges Persist

With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. 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 true captain."

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.