The moment is right to alter Manchester United's formation - the manager insists.

Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.

By his own admission this at times became a back six in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.

While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize different setups has remained part of his strategy.

However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.

"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.

"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.

"Whenever media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.

"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.

"This will help us become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."

Availability Challenges Persist

With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

Fernandes' Influence Remains

However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.

"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.

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

Return Schedule for Injured Players

Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars 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 continental competition.