Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"When you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects 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 Injured Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
