Now is ripe to change Man Utd's system - the manager declares.
Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe 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 become a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
