Now is ripe to switch Man Utd's system - the manager states.

Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.

In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.

Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.

"The goal was to build an style. Now is a separate time. We lack a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.

"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.

"Whenever the press discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.

"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.

"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."

Squad Issues Continue

Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.

He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.

That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.

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

Fernandes' Leadership Endures

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.

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

"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. 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 leader."

Recovery Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.