Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - 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 lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
