The moment is optimal to change Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim states.

Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.

While he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.

However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.

"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.

"We were trying to build an style. Now is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.

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

"Whenever media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.

"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.

"We will become a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."

Squad Challenges Loom Large

Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."

The Captain's Influence Remains

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.

"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.

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

Return Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.