Now is right to change Manchester United's system - the manager insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.

Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.

"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.

"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.

"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.

"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."

Injury Crisis Persist

With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.

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

The Captain's Role Remains

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.

"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Players

While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.