Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a different time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"This will help us become a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed 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 insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
