Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad 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. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
