Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among 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.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"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 Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
