Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the latter phase as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I can't 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.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He 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 communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
