Now is ripe to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.

"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.

"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.

"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.

"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.

"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."

Availability Crisis Persist

With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his muscle problem.

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

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.

"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Key Players

Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.