Now is optimal to change Man Utd's formation - the manager states.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.

While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.

"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.

"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.

"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.

"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.

"This will help us become a better squad because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."

Availability Issues Persist

With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.

He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."

The Captain's Role Endures

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.

"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.

"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."

Recovery Schedule for Injured Players

While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.