Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover 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 understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many 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."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
