Now is right to switch Man Utd's system - the manager declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

While he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.

"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.

"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.

"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.

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

"This will help us develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."

Availability Issues Loom Large

With just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.

He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.

"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."

The Captain's Influence Endures

However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.

"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.

"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."

Return Schedule for Injured Players

Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.