Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
