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

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.

"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.

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

"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.

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

"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."

Availability Challenges Continue

With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.

He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.

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

The Captain's Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.

"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.