Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys 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. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
