Now is ripe to change Man Utd's system - Amorim declares.
Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.