Now is ripe to change Manchester United's formation - Amorim insists.
Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase 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 among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.