Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
