Now is right to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - Ruben Amorim insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.

While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.

Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.

"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.

"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.

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

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

"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.

"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."

Injury Challenges Persist

Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

The Captain's Role Remains

However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted 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 offering guidance.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.

"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. 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 born leader. The guy is a leader."

Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.