Now is ripe to change Man Utd's formation - Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.

Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.

"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are changing.

"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.

"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.

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

"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."

Availability Challenges Continue

Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.

He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.

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

Fernandes' Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.

"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.

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

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.