Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a different time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
