Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars 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.
