Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
