Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a separate time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
