Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes 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 highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a 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 getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will rise 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, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
