Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted 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 captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
