Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the final phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When media talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
