Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
