Now is optimal to change Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the closing stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.

However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he stated.

"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.

"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.

"When you criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.

"We will grow into a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."

Injury Challenges Continue

Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.

He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.

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

The Captain's Leadership Endures

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.

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

Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel

Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.