Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
