Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
