Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
