Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
