Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader 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 silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
