Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
