Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad 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 leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
