Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - 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 continental duty.
