Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural 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 captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
