Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
