Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
