Now is right to switch Manchester United's system - Amorim insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.

While he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.

However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.

"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.

"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.

"When the press discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.

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

"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."

Injury Challenges Continue

Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number 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, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Remains

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

Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."

Return Schedule for Key Players

While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.