Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
