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

Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.

In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.

He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.

However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.

"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.

"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.

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

"Whenever media discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.

"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.

"We will develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."

Injury Challenges Continue

Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.

He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.

That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury 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, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.

"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Role Endures

However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing insight.

"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."

Return Timeline for Injured Players

While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.