Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players 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 anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
