The moment is right to alter Manchester United's formation - Ruben Amorim insists.
Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
