Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
