Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury 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 reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain 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 silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
