Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will think 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, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
