Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a separate time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When media talk about altering the system all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
