Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Issues Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
