The moment is optimal to switch Manchester United's tactical setup - Amorim insists.
Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having 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, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
