Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch 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 expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
