Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
