Time is optimal to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - the manager declares.
Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"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 Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.