Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when all the players return, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to 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 pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
