Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a different moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
