Now is ripe to change Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.

Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.

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

"Whenever you talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.

"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."

Availability Crisis Persist

Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, however, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Personnel

Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.