Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars 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.
