Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
