Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to 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 understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many 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."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
