Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock 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 understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
