Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When media discuss altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other 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 competition.
