Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
