Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
