Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter stages as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when all the players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
