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

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.

While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different setups has always been part of his strategy.

However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.

"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.

"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to adapt.

"We are going to become a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."

Injury Challenges Continue

With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That figure will rise if playmaker 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, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Endures

However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.

"He is a 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 vocal. That's why he's the skipper.

"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

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

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.