Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
