Now is optimal to switch Manchester United's formation - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.

However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.

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

"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.

"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.

"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.

"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."

Availability Challenges Continue

With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

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

"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Influence Endures

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.

"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel

Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.