Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the closing stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
