The moment is optimal to change Manchester United's formation - Ruben Amorim states.
Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
