Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
