Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms 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 lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
