Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain 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 not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
