Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
