Now is ripe to switch Manchester United's system - the manager declares.

Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.

However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.

"Our aim was to forge an style. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.

"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.

"When the press talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.

"When we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to change.

"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."

Availability Issues Loom Large

Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.

He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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

Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.

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

"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Injured Players

While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.