Now is optimal to switch Man Utd's system - Ruben Amorim declares.
Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.