Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When you talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
