Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad 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 Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
