Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the latter stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players 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 international duty.
