Now is right to change Man Utd's tactical setup - the manager declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.

By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.

Despite he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.

Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.

"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.

"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.

"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.

"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.

"We will become a stronger side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."

Injury Crisis Continue

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

He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

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

"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.