Time is ripe to change Manchester United's system - the manager insists.

Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.

Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.

Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.

Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.

"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.

"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are changing.

"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.

"When media talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.

"This will help us develop into a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."

Availability Issues Loom Large

Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.

He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.

That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.

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

The Captain's Leadership Remains

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.

"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 offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.

"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.

"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."

Return Schedule for Key Personnel

While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.