Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of 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."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
