Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
