Now is ripe to switch Manchester United's system - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.

While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.

"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.

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

"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.

"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to change.

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

Injury Challenges Loom Large

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

He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.

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

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

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel

While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players 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.