Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads 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 leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While 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, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
