Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
