Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - 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 training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
