Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
