Now is right to alter Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four with two central midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.

"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.

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

"When you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.

"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.

"We are going to become a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."

Availability Challenges Continue

Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.

He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.

"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys 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."

Return Timeline for Key Players

Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.