Now is right to alter Manchester United's system - Ruben Amorim declares.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the latter stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.

Despite he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.

However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.

"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.

"Our aim was to build an identity. Now is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.

"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.

"When the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.

"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to change.

"We will grow into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."

Squad Challenges Continue

With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.

He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.

That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.

"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."

The Captain's Leadership Remains

However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.

"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Timeline for Key Personnel

Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.