Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a different time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will become a stronger side because when all the players are back, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder 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 clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
