Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final phase as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced 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 pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He 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 captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
