Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
