Time is ripe to switch Man Utd's tactical setup - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter phase as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.

While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.

"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.

"Whenever the press discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.

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

"We will develop into a better team because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."

Availability Issues Persist

With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Remains

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Players

Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.