The moment is ripe to alter Man Utd's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim states.

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

Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.

However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.

"Whenever you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.

"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.

"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."

Availability Crisis Loom Large

Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

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 make a comeback after his muscle problem.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

Fernandes' Role Endures

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

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.

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

"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Personnel

While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.