Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, 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 leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
