Time is right to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - the manager declares.

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

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four with two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.

While he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.

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

"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.

"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.

"When you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.

"When we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.

"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."

Squad Crisis Continue

Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.

He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

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

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

The Captain's Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.