Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the final minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury 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 understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
