Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe 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 is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things 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 leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
