Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - 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 international competition.
