Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
