Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
