Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
