Time is right to change Manchester United's system - the manager insists.
Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.