Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
