Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad 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. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' 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 welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
