Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
