Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
