Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
