Now is right to switch Manchester United's formation - the manager declares.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.

"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.

"When you talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to evolve.

"This will help us become a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."

Squad Crisis Loom Large

Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.

"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even 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 wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.