Now is optimal to change Man Utd's tactical setup - the manager declares.
Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter phase as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe 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 true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.