Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable 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 continental duty.
