Now is right to alter Manchester United's formation - Amorim insists.

Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.

For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.

By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.

Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.

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

"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.

"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are making changes.

"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.

"When media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.

"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.

"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."

Squad Challenges Continue

Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.

He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.

"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."

The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering

Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.

Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.

"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.

"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.

"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."

Return Schedule for Key Players

Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players 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.