Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When media talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
