Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will become a more complete side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines 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 declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
